February marks the beginning of Black History Month, but some members of the university community are questioning whether the month-long celebration is still viable in today’s climate.
The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement is taking a new approach to the traditional heritage month events that it has organized in past years at the university: “All in. All year.” The Black Student Union will still host the seventh annual Black History Month Gala on Feb. 7, and the center will welcome Yusef Salaam for the Black History Month keynote address on Feb. 25.
A film screening, staged reading and panel discussion will be held at Fulton Chapel on Feb. 24, and a luncheon and commemorative ceremony will be on Feb. 25.
Advocates like Morgan Freeman have argued that the acknowledgement of black history should be year-long rather than reduced to a single month, while others believe that the month is a dedicated time to fully acknowledge accomplishments of African Americans.
Dana Wesley, a second year graduate student, said that she favors Freeman’s opinion. She understands the importance of the event, but she thinks a shift in status quo is needed.
“I don’t think it’s right,” Wesley said. “I understand why we have (Black History Month) and the necessity for it — so that we know that it is being acknowledged in at least one point in the year — but I think that if we could actually integrate it throughout the year and talk about not just black history but Native American history (and) Asian-American history, we’d see a lot more progress in our country.”
Arthur Doctor, director of fraternity and sorority life, has a different view.
“Black history is 365 or 366, depending on the leap year, 24/7, because black is beautiful,” Doctor said.
Doctor also said he said he appreciates Black History Month because of the emphasis of the progress that has been made in the United States.
“My ancestors built the White House,” Doctor said. “They’ve been influential in a number of the inventions that are still relevant and prevalent today. Our culture is something that all people from all races and backgrounds still emulate and admire.”
Wesley said she does not view the month solely as a memorial. Rather, she sees it as an acknowledgement of all of the big moments in the history of African Americans.
“A lot of times when we talk about our history, we talk about the dark parts with slavery and everything, but I think it also highlights some of the great things that we’ve overcome. A lot of the inventors we’ve had were black, and people who have done things for the first time were black, and it highlights a lot of the progress that we’ve made.”
Kamron Daniels, the National Pan-Hellenic Council vice president of community service and a mechanical engineering major, said he sees the month as an educational opportunity for everyone, not just members of the African-American community.
“Black History Month is important because it gives people who were a marginalized group in this country an opportunity to teach others who may not be aware of black history, and also, it just gives people a spotlight to shine,” Daniels said. “It’s definitely about educating people.”
Doctor noted that Black History Month is an event that brings together all generations.
“(My grandmother) is 92,” Doctor said. “She lived in a time where African Americans could not vote, where they were being lynched and hung for just being black. For me to have been able to experience my first time ever voting in 2008, and to be able to vote for somebody that looked like me, and for her to be there with me, was just something that I will never forget.”
Ryan Upshaw, assistant dean for student services of the School of Engineering, said he believes that in a place with a past like Mississippi, Black History Month is critical, both to our country and to the University of Mississippi.
“While advances have been made, there are still many hills to climb for people of color in the United States,” Upshaw said. “Our campus is working diligently, but we still have a long way to go for true inclusion. Remembering the history of our campus and our state is part of moving the needle toward true inclusion. I hope that people of all backgrounds will find a way to engage in events on campus and in the community related to Black History Month.”
The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement could not be immediately reached at time of publication.
