Sailors and Marines of the Makin Island Diversity Committee held an observance for African American/Black History Month in the ship's hangar bay, Feb. 23.

On a normal afternoon aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the hangar bay operates as a living organism of yellow and blue blurs racing to move aircraft, green coveralls working on the rotors of an MV-22B Osprey, red coveralls rushing to the next damage control dril, and a flurry of assorted hues like a forest in autumn. However, on this humid Thursday afternoon, there were no distinct colors, only a melting pot of culture gathered together to celebrate a common cause.

"One thing I love about the Navy and, in this case, Black History Month, is how all of our different cultural groups come together as one," said Commanding Officer Capt. Mark A. Melson. "For this reason, I really appreciate the hard work that was put into this ceremony because events like this educate us to move forward and become better every single day."

Members of the crew shared Melson's sentiments on the importance of a blended culture coming together in a single uniform for a common cause.

"The Navy, and military as a whole, is a diverse population consisting of different religions, cultures, races, and more," said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Weaver, the ship's training officer. "We have to be accepting of all regardless of one's individual backgrounds or color, especially when living in confined quarters and having to depend on each other for mission accomplishment."

Aerographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayla Nelson, from Shreveport, Louisiana, sang "Lift Every Voice," the adopted official song of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, more commonly known as the "Negro National Anthem."

"The song means a lot to my history, so to be able to share it with the crew was a special moment for me," Nelson said. "I was honored to be able to contribute to the ceremony."

Nelson's performance was followed by a light-hearted, informational black history trivia video, poetry readings, and a step dance performance, putting on display the talents and culture of black history performed by members of the crew.

Gunnery Sgt. Elwood Grant, a Marine assigned to the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the master-of-ceremonies for the event, described the South African origins of the dance, and explained how gold mine workers developed the rhythmic art form as a way to communicate discreetly.

"We decided to implement the gum boot dance in the ceremony as a way to educate and immerse the crew in another culture's way of communication and entertainment," said Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Zemario Sheppard, from Sacramento, California, referencing the boots worn by workers who originated the dance. "Even though the origins stretch back to Africa, these dances are still performed and kept alive on college campuses around the country."

The event's guest speaker, Makin Island's Senior Medical Officer Cmdr. Karlwin Matthews, also from Sacramento, followed the performance and emphasized the ability and power of every individual to make a difference.

"You can be everything to someone," Matthew said. "You can be a great leader, preacher, civil rights activist, and national hero such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a diplomat like Frederick Douglass, or Supreme Court justice such as Thurgood Marshall. You could be a highly decorated and respected military leader like retired four-star Gen. Colin Powell. You could even be a leader of free men and women, of a nation, like former President Barack Obama. However, I say you don't have to be someone famous and powerful to make a difference. You can make a difference right now, but to do so you have to have desire and will to put in the time, effort and sacrifice."

Matthews concluded with a call to action before the crew departed for a cake cutting.

"As Gen. Powell once stated, 'A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work,'" quoted Matthews. "We have come a long way, not just black America, but all America. We still have much work to do, so let's get to work!"

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