NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Et Facta Est Lux
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nd there is light. This common Latin saying is familiar to every Morehouse Man. These words resonate in the depths of our souls. I’ve heard it asked whether the sun in our College’s emblem is emerging from the clouds or whether the clouds are moving in to cover the sun. The answer, as often noted in speeches, depends upon the perception of the viewer. On the Friday immediately preceding each Commencement ceremony at Morehouse, a Rite of Passage takes place in which seniors receive a ceremonial light (or lux) from alumni in the form of a small candle. I believe that the lumens of this small candle are expected to grow exponentially as each candle is lit to become a great, encompassing light. As powerful as it is, it is limited to what we can produce by passing it to one another. However, as I look at our emblem, I do not see candles behind the cloud. I see the sun—and it causes me to wonder if our light has changed from the bright, collective light on graduation day to what it is now. Some of us have the candlepower of a flashlight. We are able to shed light on some dire situations, but our luminosity is limited by what’s inside. Maybe our influence is limited by our commitment to a specific purpose. Maybe it shines bright in some situations, but when it’s put to a real test, it wanes and is easily blocked. Maybe there are some of us who emit the radiance of the sun: impacting, affecting and warming the world. We’ve seen numerous examples of alumni who have had global influence. The ability to generate this type of light resides in some of us alumni and, perhaps even more so, in those Morehouse Men to come. What type of light are you? This year, we’ve seen several incidents across the country that called for an illumination of the issues. We had the nation’s first African American president to speak at our Commencement, which was indeed a historic occasion. But we also had the injustices of Trayvon Martin’s and Jordan Davis’s deaths. Before them, there was Amadou Diallo. These men brought national attention to the criminalization of the African American man in this country. The nation, though, only illuminated these situations with the temporary power of a flashlight rather than with the consistent, revealing radiance of the sun. How do you shine your light? I believe that of all the people on the planet, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or complexion, no one lives in as much darkness as young men of color. They are not just being criminalized, these young men are also believing the lies told to them about their value and self-worth. Their susceptibility to settling for less than they are capable of achieving is born from disappointments in the workplace, the school system and our own communities,. There is no one action that could cast our light in a more broad and inclusive way than mentoring. More than money or physical resources, your time belongs exclusively to you. Even a sparing gift of an hour each month could make the difference in the life of a young black man. When you speak to great men, you always find in their stories from youth an individual who made a profound impact upon them through mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Mentoring is not the only way to shine. You left Morehouse College with a mandate to share the flame and ignite the world with the knowledge and compassion you gained during your matriculation. How you do that is up to you. Just burn. Burn bright with the light of purpose and commitment. Et facta est lux. And there is light. Now, brothers, how brightly will you shine?
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Mentoring is not the only way to shine, though. You left Morehouse College with a mandate to share the flame and ignite the world with the knowledge and compassion you gained during your matriculation. How you do that is up to you.
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Kevin R. McGee ’93 President COMMEMORATIVE INAUGURATION INAUGURATION ISSUE ISSUE 2014 2014 COMMEMORATIVE
MOREHOUSE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 43 MOREHOUSE