Rewriting History
By Anjali Nayak
Unknowingly, a Euro-centric worldview has shaped the advantages and disadvantages billions of citizens are forced to deal with every day. Through widening the lens used to narrate monumental moments in human history, different perspectives are displayed and a newfound sense of empathy is created. Natives are no longer reduced to ‘savages;’ trailblazers, no longer generalized as ‘crazy;’ minorities, no longer written off as ‘caricatures.’
You can tell a lot about a country by what they deem important enough to remember, to create monuments for — what they put in their museums and what they name their schools after. For so long, America has reveled in either Civil War battles or Founding Fathers.
His Story
It is not every day that you get to be a part of history in the making. Throughout my life, my father has always expressed the importance of black leaders no matter how big or small. He continuously motivates me to step up as a young leader in not only the black community, but in everyday life.
On January 17, 2023 my father, Ran Carthon, received the news that he would become the newest General Manager (GM) for the Tennessee Titans, marking him as the first black GM in the team’s history. When asked what this achievement means to him, Carthon remarked, “I understand the responsibility that comes with the role, and it motivates me to create opportunities for other black personnel people coming behind me.”
As a black man, my father has to work twice as hard to show his skills and expertise he can bring to a role. After 15 years of working tirelessly, his hard work has paid off and manifested itself into history. Although I am not the biggest sports fan, I can appreciate the example that my father is setting for young black children everywhere. By assuming this prominent role, my father reminds the black community that no matter where you come from and no matter how long it takes, you too can get to a point of greatness.
Ran Carthon works hard at any task that he is given, which is just who he is by nature. But he hopes to continue to make history and set a good example for his children and the black community.
