Taylor Bembery
Associate Editor
Students at Jackson State University and Senator Sollie B. Norwood participated in the “We are The Dream” march and rally on Feb. 25 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The rally began on the Gibbs-Green Plaza with a route that took students around the campus to commemorate those who marched, protested, and died during the Civil Rights era. The march also served as a reminder to students of what “The Dream” really is and what needs to be done to make sure it continues.
Sen. Norwood was the guest speaker at the rally which took place before the march. Norwood is a graduate of Jackson State University Class of 1974.
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free,” said Norwood emphatically at the beginning of his speech. His message to the students emphasized how important they are; not only to their university but to the community.
“We have gotten relaxed; this march will serve as a reminder. Every once in a while we need to be reminded that freedom is not free. A lot of people fought and died. We need to be reminded. We need to be encouraged to continue to fight,” said Norwood.
When asked if there were future civil rights leaders at JSU, Norwood quickly said, “Absolutely yes! Jackson State is the hub of civil rights and every time I walk on campus and I pass by Alexander Hall, I think about Gibbs and Green and the impact they had on my life. I was an incoming freshman and that night on May 14 really inspired me to be at JSU more than ever because students were standing up for what they believed was right. I wanted to join in that,” said Norwood. “We have gotten a little relaxed but I think we need to reignite the fire and move full speed ahead.”
He also stated that change usually starts with the youth getting involved.
“When you look at our history, most of our movements began with young people. Jackson State really could be a great catalyst for change in this state. What happens at JSU can be replicated at Mississippi Valley, Alcorn, etc. We see what is happening at Ole Miss with the Meredith statue vandalism and it turns back the hands of time. We don’t condone that but at the same token it is an opportunity for our students to unite and challenge issues that they go through,” said Norwood.
Norwood is the father of Ashley Norwood, a senior English journalism major from Jackson, Miss. 
(Ashley) Norwood helped promote the march in an effort to get students at JSU involved.
“Ashley has always been a very caring and considerate person. I just really admire her, probably more than she would ever realize. She has always given her last and it’s not about me being in the position that I’m in. Ashley has always been that way and I always admired her for that,” said the Sen. Norwood.
The students who marched around the campus held signs with powerful messages and sang songs such as “We Shall Over Come”, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, and “Amazing Grace”, reminiscent of civil rights marches of the past.
“I decided to participate in the “We are The Dream” march because in order to know where you are going, you have to know your past, I am King!” said Clincy Harris, a junior social science and political science double major from Jackson, Miss.
At the end of the march, students held hands on the pedestrian walkway in a circle of prayer. The prayer was for a better tomorrow and an end to injustice and violence among the youth.
Ashley Norwood shared her thoughts on the overall outcome of the march.
“I am pleased with the students that did come out, however I wish it would have been more on a colossal level. Not only participation from Jackson State, but Tougaloo, Millsaps, and students from other schools because it’s the same message we preach all over the United States of America and the world,” she stated. “I do think that we should have marches in other movements because it gives us the opportunity to come out of character, come out of pleasures, come out of our ordinary lives and do something that will make a difference and bring awareness.”
