Pan-African Flag Raising Kicks Off February (Black History Month)

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – The just hoisted red, black and green hued flag proudly rippled as the wind touched it, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on Lower Broadway in the City of Newburgh last Thursday afternoon, while a large, energetic crowd gathered to pay tribute to its outer beauty as well as deep impact.

The Pan-African, tri-color flag’s raising marked the official start of February’s African-American History Month. Adopted by Marcus Garvey’s UNIA-ACL Organization in 1920, the striking flag colors carry rich, symbolism: Red (blood uniting all people of Black African ancestry), Black (African heritage-nationalism) and green (abundance and vibrant health of Africa.) It’s a depth and appreciation that the City of Newburgh has been proud-and eager- to recognize for several years at this critical elevation of the flag, whose importance transcends time.

“Raising this African-American Flag marks another year of celebrating all of the contributions and significance of African-Americans,” City of Newburgh Mayor, Torrance Harvey, addressed the crowd just prior to the hoisting. “By raising this flag, we want to say we are again standing on the shoulders of so many African-Americans that came before us and who helped to play a role in creating this great democracy.”

Pointing out how right here in Newburgh evidence of those trailblazers’ imprint is alive and well, Harvey indicated how the Mayor (himself), as well as two of the City Councilmen are African American, adding that several others on the City and School Boards are of Latino descent.

“Diversity and multiculturalism should always permeate throughout our City-whether it’s in health, the school, business, everywhere,” added Harvey about the “auspicious” underlying meanings the day’s events carried, along with all of those days to follow throughout the month, celebrating not only African-Americans, but diversity. In fact, it’s a tribute so relevantly powerful, it should not be limited to one month.

“Let’s celebrate this rich history of African-Americans every day of the year,” stated lifelong City of Newburgh resident and Newburgh Enlarged School District Board member, Phil Howard. “By doing so, we are remembering and standing on the great shoulders of those who came before us.”

Assemblyman, Jonathon Jacobson, further reminded those in attendance of the integral need to keep those connections, strongly uniting past and present, alive, ensuring the stories, history and contributions of our forefathers are not lost.

“Black history is American history,” affirmed Jacobson.

Following the Flag Raising segment of the program, participants made their way up Broadway, gathering together at a nearby locale, enjoying dance and music entertainment, savory food offerings, while sharing conversation and comradeship, uniting the community.

The coming together symbolized a cornerstone theme of African-American History Month, one that all involved in upholding its tenets are intent on prioritizing.

“We need to show unity by raising this flag,” said Omari Shakur, City of Newburgh Councilman-At-Large, who inspired the birth of the annual, rapidly growing February Flag Raising event. Pointing out fellow leaders in the community, Shakur, making the messages of Black History Month applicable to right now and here in the City of Newburgh, continued,

“These are our leaders here in Newburgh; they are here for you when the community is suffering; you need to come to us if you need anything.” Citing the infamous trailblazer Garvey, he added, “Without unity, there is no real community; unity is strength, and in unity, there is strength.”