This month is Black History Month, and on Saturday, Feb. 9, Booker T. Washington Center held a dinner at which some of our children recited poems and read about those who changed a lot of lives.

I hope that our children see this not for just this month, but for years as they grow and become more educated. We say that the white man won't let us get anywhere or accomplish anything in this city, because of the racism here. Our children are not getting fairness in the school nor in the court systems. The jobs that are available are those of work in nursing homes taking care of the white elderly parents. They can't get any office jobs because if they're black, they don't have a chance.

I, myself, say that no matter what color I am, I can do whatever it is. No one can stop me from getting whatever it is I desire. Sure, here in Auburn there's a lot of stereotyping, especially when it comes to the police in this city and the justice system.

If we as a people (black) in this community feel that there is something that is not right concerning ourselves, we can't just sit back and not do anything. We must write and do what we can to bring about changes. Changes in our schools so that our children are getting the best education, changes in our justice system in order to get a fair justice system. It's time that we unite and act as a whole.

I refuse to sit and complain. That's why I interact with the officials in this city, because the more I learn, the more things I can do to help my people. I love my black people, and we deserve more than what we are receiving. We deserve better housing and to get that, we shouldn't rent from slum landlords. Treat yourselves as if we deserve better. The people we read about during Black History Month are dead and gone, but we are alive, and the same history they made, we can also make today.

Cherry Love-Duncan

Auburn