By Belen Gomez
Donna Brazile, the first African-American to direct major presidential campaigns, wraped up African People’s History month while also initiating the first event of Women’s Herstory Month, a celebration of women’s contribution to history, culture and society.
Brazile servesas vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee and has been named as one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington, D.C. and one of 50 of the most powerful women in America by Washingtonian magazine.
Fresno State community members gathered on Feb. 27 at the North Gym conference room 118 to welcome Brazile.
She gave a talk on the importance of voting and the ways college students can improve their communities.
President Dr. Joseph Castro opened the floor by giving a brief introduction about Brazile.
“She first got involved in politics at the age of 9,” Castro said. “I am excited because personally she is one of my heroes.”
Castro mentioned that young Brazile worked to elect a city council candidate who had promised to build a playground in her neighborhood. After the swing was installed, her passion for political progress was awakened.
Brazile, who has lectured at over 125 colleges across the county, said that her passion is encouraging young people to vote.
She began her talk with a quote from Langston Hughes.
“Hold fast to dreams, for if a dream dies, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
According to Brazile, this quote is a beautiful expression of the power of dreams. She explains that without hope, dreams and ambitions people are like a broken winged bird unable to be themselves.
She continued her talk by saying that Dr. Martin Luther’ King’s “I have a dream” speech is one of the most important speeches that she has ever heard.
“That dream inspired me,” she said. “That speech spoke to me.”
She encouraged young people to analyze the metaphors written in the speech as she saying that these powerful metaphors are not just words but issues that African Americans still struggle with today.
Brazile said that this speech is a call to action.
Emily Booker, a sophomore Africana Studies and economics student, enjoyed Brazile’s talk. Booker used to think that in order to participate in politics she had to graduate from school first.
She also felt that Brazile spoke to the audience in a way that they could understand her.
“I felt like she was talking to her family,” Emily said. “The way Donna presented Martin Luther King’s speech in her talk was revolutionizing.”
Brazile also spoke about the importance of voting.
“You want laws to change? You have to move and work for change to actually happen,” Brazile said. “We have to work for that dream to become a reality.”
Brazile concluded by encouraging the audience to educate themselves, not just in areas of their studies, but also about the issues that affect everyone else. She urged people to engage in organizations and to become active officers.
“We should be willing to re-read that speech. It has rooted meaning in itswords,” she said.