Stop pointing fingers of blame and start working to train and educate our young people, famed civil rights leader and historic preservationist, W. W. Law, told the congregation of Holly Grove A.M.E. Church in Peachtree City Sunday.

The Savannah native has worked for the NAACP for most of his 86 years, serving as president of the Savannah chapter from 1950 to 1976 and then turned his attention to preserving the black structures in town.

He was asked to come to Holly Grove and speak as the culmination of Black History Month. The church is located in south Peachtree City and he was presented a gift from the city by Councilwoman, Annie McMenamin. Mayor pro-tempore Carol Fritz, was also present.

Law told the congregation that we cannot "play" at schooling or at churches, we must be serious about the matter and train our children in learning all they can so that they might help others.

"There's too much finger-pointing going on in the United States," he said, "and not enough education and training for people to be aware of what is going on around them. Read newspapers, read magazines, or you'll find your self walking into the Lion's Den."

He also admonished the audience, especially the young people, to know not only the history they read in books, but also to know who their grandparents and great-grandparents were. He felt there was a tendency for people to study famous figures in history and not have any idea if anyone in their very own family may have accomplished even more.

"Learning to read is of utmost importance," he pointed out, "but you can't stop there. I can remember when a small boy, only a few people could read Bible verses in church on Sunday morning and the preacher would have to finish. Now, almost everyone can read, but how many read the Bible? Once you learn to read, write and figure, and unless you're going to be a rocket scientist or a chemical engineer, you can teach yourself just about anything.

"Black History Day is every day," he concluded, "and I have always felt that we should study our history first, and then celebrate."