Dr. Calvin Mackie
An Engineer
Birth Place: New Orleans
NCCU Founders Day Keynote Speaker, January 16, 2004

I appreciated and could relate to the opening of his speech, where he emphasized the word “thank you.” He was absolutely right on that not many in the generation today use this word. It like somewhere between the 80s and 90s our young people have lost the value in these two words.

His refection on his visit to Africa and the first trading center located in Ghana was a walk down the path of history that reminded me of those who were kidnapped and/or sold into slavery, suffering the pain of separation from family, homeland and for some death. I thought about some of the stories and photos I have read and seen about the slave trade and how black men and women were reduce to nothing more than chattel to be sold at auction in the Americas.

I believe that we do owe much respect to those who loss their freedom and dignity to inhumane treatment and we should never forget the price that was paid that I might enjoy some of the freedoms that I have. It is really a travesty to see some of the kids forfeiting their rights to an education.

He spoke about himself, “not being a role mode but a real model.” Someone that people can relate too. So often people are not trasparent which causes a problem for some but I think he was trying to let the graduates know to live a life for which others can learn and see that they to can live their dreams. In essence, don't play a role, be real with yourself and others.

Very thoughtful comparison of the lion and the gazelle. He described the reason that the lion rises up early is with purpose and it is to run in hopes of catching the gazelle because he knows that if he doesn't he will starve. The gazelle also rises early with a purpose and that is to out run the lion because it knows that it will be eaten if it is caught. He told the graduates to “wake up running.” What this statement meant to me is that each day we should get up with the attitude to run to the best of our ability towards our goals.

He shared a similar story to describe how we might interact with other people we are sure to encounter. He used a cheetah to represent the graduates and a lion as a symbol of the unseen foes in our lives that sole purpose is to destroy or kill the dream of the person. He was telling them to be aware of their association. Not everyone that is of your race is your friend and not everyone of a different race is your enemy is what he also emphasized.

I like that he shared his own personal testimony about growing up in New Orleans, he spoke about the odds against him going to college because of his grades. He also shared the story about the loss of his mother and how it affected him and his siblings. He recalled that he and his siblings did not allow their mother’s death to deter them moving forward. I could relate to what he was saying because I was right in the middle of a semester when my mother died. She also died at home, and much like Dr. Macky, I knew that my mother would want me to stay focus and finish school. Ultimately, I understood that with all the naysayers that I have had in my life, it doesn’t matter about the sharks, lions, or whatever the roadblock. What matters is that I get up with the attitude and the determination to finish what I have started.

I look forward to hearing the remaining part of his speech.

Peace, V