“Why is Black History Month relevant to people of all backgrounds and cultures?”
“Black History Month is relevant to everyone because not everyone has had equal exposure to different cultures. It’s easy to think or assume, with so much technology, that you know someone – black or white or Hispanic. This month is a time for us to showcase our history and culture and to teach our history to people who don’t look like us or have the means of learning any other way.”
Nekkita Beans, a senior social work major from Philadelphia
President of the Black Student Union
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“How have you seen being black as an advantage in your life?”
“I’ve definitely seen it as an advantage. Not to be stereotypical, but you already have a strike against you as a minority, but when you do succeed, you’ve proved that stereotype wrong. You have a lot more room to improve than some people from other racial backgrounds.”
Matthew Sledge, a junior accounting major from Charleston
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“Why is Black History Month important to you personally?”
“Because as historical minority groups continue to rise above discrimination, it’s important see how far they’ve come on their journey and to see how being discriminated against can make you strong.”
Jamie Crow, a senior computer science major from New Albany
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“What is your favorite aspect of black history?”
“How hard black people before us fought for our rights and how far we have come since then.”
Tykerria Hamlin, a freshman political science major from Jackson
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“Which African-American person has influenced your life the most?”
“One of my very close family friends is my brother’s basketball coach. He started a camp called Camp Chambers that is an education and real-world experience-based program for teens headed down the wrong path. He’s really helped my brother and acted as a second dad because my brother has ADD and dyslexia. He helped my brother be more confident in himself, and he’s so awesome for that.”
Ellie Greenberger, a sophomore journalism major from Memphis, Tennessee
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“Who is your favorite figure in black history?”
“Rosa Parks because she was one of the first Black History Month people I learned about. Every time Black History Month rolls around, you learn more about these famous people, things that aren’t taught in schools. She encouraged other people of diverse backgrounds to stand their ground when they felt they were being discriminated against or their voices weren’t being heard.”
Arriana Bean, a junior pre-pharmacy major from Olive Branch
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“What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced being an African-American man?
“The biggest challenge I’ve always faced is being a walking stereotype. It’s assumed that, because I’m big and black, that I’m aggressive and that I probably play sports, most likely football and basketball. People will always assume things about you, so you just have to find ways to work around it and prove them wrong.”
Carl Tart, a sophomore exercise science major from Yazoo City
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“How has being black empowered you?”
“Being black pushes me to work 10 times harder than the next person because there are so many obstacles we face and stereotypes that are upon us from the beginning. I have to work more just to be considered for something. It’s constantly pushing me to work harder.”
Skylyn Irby, a junior math major from Batesville
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“How have your studies of the American South shaped your understanding of the importance of Black History Month?”
“I’d put this question the other way around. Any honest understanding of the American South is impossible without the inclusion of African-Americans and their past and present experiences. Black History Month is an invitation to examine that fact further and to do so year-round through a deeper understanding of how and why black lives have mattered in the South and broader nation and world.”
Darren Grem, assistant professor of history and Southern studies from Rock Hill, South Carolina
