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February 12, 2016
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 34, No. 22
Emanuel Nine: A brother shares his grief By Mikie Hayes hayesMi@musc.edu
Inside Travel advisory
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lack History Month is an annual celebration of the many important achievements by black Americans and a time when the nation recognizes the pivotal role African–Americans have played throughout U.S. history. For the past seven years, Black History Month has been celebrated at MUSC with a series of events that underscored its importance. This year, Willette Burnham, Ph.D., chief diversity officer for the university, decided to take the observance in a different direction, planning, instead, a single meaningful event. With the tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church still fresh on people’s minds, Malcolm Graham, the brother of one of the victims, was invited to be the keynote speaker. Graham’s sister, Cynthia Hurd, was attending a Bible study on that fateful night. She was shot and killed just days before her 55th birthday. As Burnham spoke about the purpose of the day’s event, she said, “Remember, Black History Month is not just about thinking about those big inventors or huge civil rights iconic leaders. Sometimes it’s remembering the impact of one black person in your life that has changed your life significantly for the better — for the rest of your life.” Then she cut her remarks short, eager for Graham to take center stage and share his thoughts on the subject: “Turning Tragedy to Victory, a Black History Lesson.” Graham, a former North Carolina state senator, noted expert on minority issues and president and CEO of the Center for Supplier Diversity, wasted no time diving headfirst into his message, beginning with his own special version of the poem “First They
Precautions for Zika virus unveiled.
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photos by Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging
Hidden area makes huge impact.
Above photo: Malcolm Graham, brother of Emanuel 9 victim Cynthia Hurd, addresses guests about understanding and action. Left photo: Ms. Celeste Jilich introduces Malcom Graham at the Feb. 3 MUSC Black History Month event. Came.” The original was a commentary on the fact that many did nothing during the Nazi persecution of the Jews. “They came to foster racism and discrimination. I was not an immediate victim, so I said nothing. “They came to get those who are poor among us. I’m not poor, so I said nothing. “They came to get those who were sick; those with cancer and AIDs and mental illness. I feel fine, I’m fit, so I said nothing. “They came to get the homeless - you know those guys who live under the bridge and sleep on the park benches. I have a home, so I said nothing.
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