Presidents Day 2023

Dear Howard University Community,

As we prepare for the annual observance of Presidents Day, it is not lost on me that the holiday sometimes underscores an understandably fraught relationship with our community and other communities of color.
 
For historical context, Presidents Day was first conceived to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, whose eminence as our nation’s first president comes with the caveat that he also actively participated in American chattel slavery. Slavery persisted in the United States through its next fifteen presidents; somewhat ironically, it was our nation’s 17th president Andrew Johnson who signed our University’s charter in 1867 – just four years post-Emancipation – despite his own regressive perspectives on race and gender. For over two centuries, the American presidency epitomized a brass ring Black people and other minority groups seemingly could never grab, punctuated by the fact the first 43 presidents all shared the same two defining characteristics.
 
Yet, this century has provided us the opportunity to reimagine our roles at the highest levels of American government. While our country remains imperfect in its pursuit of equality for all, it is phenomenal to consider that on this holiday only 15 years ago, America had yet to elect its first Black president. Between the elections of Barack Obama and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President, respectively, we are experiencing a level of political representation that many of our ancestors believed impossible. Particularly, Vice President Harris’s successes have made clear to the world what we have known inside our community forever: HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions like Howard University are preparing their students and faculty for transformative leadership on a global scale.
 
Given our location in the nation’s capital, we are uniquely positioned to participate in the political process and hold our elected officials accountable, a responsibility I have witnessed countless members of the Howard community take to heart throughout the years. As our country continues to grapple with the challenges of the moment, let us persist in reminding our government, our president, and our vice president of the long-term challenges we cannot afford to neglect.
 
It is just as imperative now as it has always been that we channel our passions into making our voices heard. Of course, we must continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, take steps to remedy inflation, and prepare ourselves for the technological advancements of the future. But we must also work to ensure that all people have the right to vote in free and fair elections; that health care is available and equitably distributed to all communities; and that the values of equality, justice, and diversity are interwoven into the fabric of our society.
 
Progress is rarely steady or linear, but with hard work, it is certainly achievable. If nothing else, today should serve as a reminder of the important role each and every one of us plays in shaping the direction of our country. As an institution with a rich history of producing leaders who have fought for civil rights and social justice, it is my sincere hope that Presidents Day is not simply a commemoration of America’s uneven past, but a reflection on our civic responsibilities, and how we all must contribute to building a more just and equitable world moving forward.
 
Let us also send our thoughts to former President Jimmy Carter and his family as he enters hospice care. President Carter has consistently demonstrated his own commitment to truth and service, and his post-presidential work as an activist and humanitarian has positively impacted lives across the globe. We can stand to learn a lot from his strength and courage. I pray that President Carter is surrounded by the warmth of his loved ones, and that they all find peace.

Excellence in Truth and Service,


Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA
Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery
President