Peoria Magazine is no longer in production. Publication ended with the November issue. This intimate event provides an opportunity for friends, family and colleagues to come together and celebrate these Legendsβas well as a chance for the Legends to say a few words to those who have gathered in their honor. As a member of a group of Americans who, for over years, lived subjugated and socialized by slavery and its remnants, I understood at my core that I was not free growing up in Texas.
When I first came to Bradley University in as a year-old freshman, I expected my arrival in Peoria would be deliverance into freedom. But during my freshman year, I became aware that hundreds of years of living under those conditions had a fundamental, internalized effect antithetical to the essence of freedom. My soul, my mind and my self-worth were constrained and molded by the circumstances of my birth. But so too are the beneficiaries of these systems of oppression similarly molded and constrained: they also were not able to fully develop mentally and morally as truly free people.
Achieving it as a member of a group so long oppressed is not simply a matter of an epiphany or moving to a new location. Rather, it is the work over a lifetime, learning to instinctively think and act as a free-thinking person. Any ability I have had to positively affect the Peoria community was born from my realization that freedom was something I needed to manifest, not just have. I hope that by sharing my story I can inspire others to see the wisdom of searching within oneself for freedom in all its fullness.
It is not possible to achieve it only through the beneficence of others or outside forces. We must also tend to our inner beingβthe secret place within where we harmonize our understanding of who we are and who we want to be. Although the essence of the crop will reflect the quality of the seed, it helps to have fertile soil to grow, and I have found fertile soil in Peoria. I am honored to be recognized for my impact on a community which has had such an impact on me.
Thanks to [Peoria Magazines] for this honor and the opportunity to voice my hope that all citizens of our community who share my concept of freedom will strive to achieve it as I have done. Those are the considered words I wanted to share with you about what makes me who I am. Franklin, what kind of government have you given us?
