Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
GCC PRESIDENT George McNulty, left, looks on as board member Sue Beals, from right, and her daughter Heather Nyman, speak with Steve Cole after his performance as the 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass in the Lindquist Student Conference Center gymnasium on Monday morning.
By CHARITY SMITH
Ironwood - Gogebic Community College, in collaboration with the Ironwood Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group, celebrated Black History Month with a powerful and passionate performance by Frederick Douglass impersonator Steve Cole on Monday, that left at least one student in tears.
Douglass was a former slave that escaped slavery and later bought his freedom for $712. He is remembered as a prominent abolitionist and journalist.
Cole recited a Douglass speech condeming slavery and racism, while in character as Douglass to a small audience at the Lindquist Student Center, and then answered questions from the audience as Douglass.
The presentation was live-streamed on Twitch so that those who were not able to attend, including some local schools, could watch it.
"We are not what you have been told and we have a potential that is untapped," said Cole of the then-enslaved race of Black people. "We will see ourselves and the world differently as we embrace that potential and this is where the end of hate begins. Color prejudice is not a natural human emotion, but must be learned from others. Prejudice is not the creature of birth, but is learned."
During the speech Cole referenced the Bible and Matthew 7:12: "Do unto others as you would have them do onto you."
He gave vivid depictions of what the slave trade was like in the south and how inhumanely people of color were treated.
He answered questions from the audience on how he was educated, how he got his freedom and offered advice as to how to address racism in the future year 2022.
Cole told the audience that "knowledge is power" and thus the woman that taught Douglass his "letters" was forbidden by her husband to continue doing so as education was not compatible with slavery. He said that students today have an opportunity to learn and to make our world a better place to live.
GCC student Brie Bastman was moved to tears.
"I was crying because I felt that we all learned stuff that we never knew and the fact that somebody has to come back from the dead after the Civil War to come and talk about what is going on today still that's what's sad," said Bastman, 29, of Ironwood. "You know it's kind of just like picking up from that same spot and keep going its not really a lot that has changed. I mean this man's words are still applicable that's what's sad."
"It's changed, but just not as fast as you want," said her friend, Betty Perkis.
GCC president George McNulty said that he is thankful for the opportunity to work with Cole and the Diversity Group to make the presentation a reality.
"Myself, and I would think others included, learned about history today and hopefully helped to make others understand the life and struggles and contributions of Frederick Douglass," said McNulty.
The Diversity Group plans to hold a further discussion on Cole's presentation at a date, time and place yet to be announced. Gerry Griper, of the Diversity group said he will be moderating the conversation which will take a look at how Douglass's goals connect to 2022.
