In observance of Black History Month, Tripler Army Medical Center’s Military Equal Opportunity Office hosted Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, Navy Region Hawaii Commander, at an event in the Kyser Auditorium on Feb 23.

Barnet opened his address with an explanation of his love of learning and the opportunity to share American history. He introduced this year’s Department of Defense theme: “African Americans and the Arts.”

“Art can transform an individual and society at the same time,” Barnett said. “Art is education. As Edgard Degas said, ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’”

Barnett addressed the importance of social cohesion and how we are all bound by a sense of purpose, share solidarity and a collective through the arts. Barnett described how artful storytelling influenced his own life with the works of James Baldwin, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, and Ralph Ellison.

“It’s imperative that social cohesion serves as our north star,” Barnett said. “We can be lead in the darkness of discord but we need to be on the path of unity and understanding. I’m bound by a shared sense of purpose and shared solidarity, “Barnett said.

Barnet closed his address by asking the audience to think about how and what art influences their own lives.

Staff Sgt. Deqwana Malone, a licensed practical nurse at TAMC, also spoke at the observance, sharing the historical and influences of African American stories of James Reese Europe, Lenora Hull Brown, and Horace Pippin.

Following the event, Commander of Tripler Army Medical Center, Col. Michael D. Ronn, and Command Sgt. Major John “Mike” Contreas, posed with Barnett for a group photo while expressing their appreciation.

Each year the Department of Defense, along with the rest of the United States, recognizes the important contributions and rich culture of African Americans. The DoD worked with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in choosing this year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts.”