‘No time like now’ as Rock Hill NAACP celebrates Jubilee Day

On the first day of a new year, while remembering and celebrating the past and hoping for great things to come, the Rev. Dr. Jacques Days reminded a nearly-packed house at Rock Hill’s New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church: “there’s no time like now.”

Days’ fiery address came during the Emancipation Proclamation “Jubilee Day” program. The celebration is observed annually on New Year’s Day and marks the date the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared slaves held in rebellious states be free. Such programs are held across the nation as a day for reflection, re-dedication and celebration of heritage.

“There’s no time like now to find ourselves in the struggle that has been fought by too many people for far too long,” Days said. “There is no time like now to join the struggle for justice for all.”

Days emphasized what he called “the eternal now.”

“If we truly appreciate and respect the heritage of those who worked hard before us and if we truly trust God and expect the promise of a better day,” he said, “we must certainly embrace the now.”

Friday’s program included songs of strength, resolve and love for God. Members of the NAACP, which hosted the event, reflected on the group’s work in years past and directed their focus to the goals of the new year.

Susie Hinton, outgoing president for the Rock Hill NAACP chapter, said she’s proud of the chapter reaching its goal of 100 members, including new and renewed memberships. Hinton would like to see the local chapter improve on gaining young members, noting that they already have a presence at Winthrop University and Clinton College.

“We need young people who are in kindergarten all the way up into high school,” she said. “We need to get that group of kids involved and aware of the struggle, division and the mission.”

Days, the chapter’s president-elect, said the NAACP’s mission has yet to be complete. He lauded the work of civil rights figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., and commended the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds in Columbia, but said there’s more work to be done.

“Hope has not really been fully embraced,” he said. “Like those who have gone before us, we are still looking forward to something good, something right, something true.”

Alluding at times to King’s monumental “I have a dream” speech, Days spoke of what Americans should look forward to and continue to fight for.

“The promise of a day when skin color will not determine my likelihood of arrest and imprisonment,” he said. “We’re looking for something better – the promise of a day when my career choices and my upward mobility on the job will not be limited by the family into which I was born.

“The promise of a day when we rejoice rather than decry the idea of our children speaking Spanish and English and how many other languages their little bright minds will allow them,” he continued. “The promise of a day when our children, whatever their ethnic group, are truly no longer judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Days encouraged people of all races, ages and economic backgrounds to get involved with NAACP, and said new members can get involved in particular areas based on their strengths and desire to serve.

Donna Randall was the first person to renew a membership for 2016, and currently serves on the chapter’s health committee.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” she said. “I’m a school nurse, so I feel like I can give some of my gifts to that committee.”

The Rock Hill chapter meets on the fourth Saturday of every month and will meet next on Jan. 23. The office is located at the Freedom Center, 215 E. Main St., Rock Hill.

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "‘No time like now’ as Rock Hill NAACP celebrates Jubilee Day."