By Elizabeth Shipman | Observer Reporter
A panel discussion titled “Black History Month: Is it Still Relative?” took place last week in the North Cafe. Panel members and the audience shared views on whether there should be a month devoted to celebrating Black History.
The Moderator of the event was Dr. Vincent Bates, Dean of Liberal Arts, Math, Education and Developmental Studies. Panel members included Candace Shivers, Associate Professor of Sociology, Javier King, student and president of the math club, and Catherine Maddox-Wiley, a transfer counselor or the RX program.
The questions and responses are detailed below:
What do you see as the value of a special month devoted to Black History?
Mrs. Maddox-Wiley answered that she had mixed feelings about it. She believes that the point of recognizing black history is to educate. It is a time for people to come together. But she would hope for it to be all year and not just one month out of the year.
What has Black History Month given you personally?
There was discussion about how it does not seem important to single out blacks and have a month for thinking about them. They are equal to everyone else. Ms. Shivers said that we do not see much ignorance in Massachusetts. There is no real hatred in New England either. However, in the South, there is still much hatred. The Klu Klux Klan still exists and blacks are often held second in society. Ms. Shivers asked, “Is Massachusetts a representative of the whole country?” and answered that she does not think so.
Does Black History Month promote separatism and racism?
Mr. King answered that it most certainly does. Designating a month out of the year promotes separatism. He also said that typically, in general, people who are educated in Black history are not as ignorant.
Ms. Shivers, on the other hand, said that she does not think it promotes separatism. She said it gives people a chance to talk about it and embrace it. She also brought up Women’s Month in March, which is almost the same in celebrating people who are a part of society. Black History Month celebrates a culture and gives us the time to step back and remember it, she said.
Dr. Bates agreed and said there is more to Black history then just Martin Luther King, Jr. and slavery.
Has the need for Black History Month passed?
Mr. King believes that yes, the need has passed. It was necessary before but now, not so much. Racism is less obvious than it used to be. The fact that text books are not all inclusive is a form of racism but it is not as blatant.
An audience member said that if someone is hateful, educating them on this subject is not going to change them. Dr. Bates said, however, that by educating them, it might get rid of that hate. To this, Mrs. Maddox-Wiley added that it is not the responsibility of Black History Month to eradicate racism. We’re all responsible in stopping racism, she said.
Is there a need for a separate monthly celebration of other ethnic groups?
Dr. Bates said that Asians were also important in the building of America. They were greatly involved in the Great Railroad Race, putting together the railroad that connected Eastern U.S. to Western. Why shouldn’t there be an Asian Month?
Mrs. Maddox-Wiley mentioned how during the 60s and 70s, black students pushed for a change from Black History Week to having an entire month for recognizing black history. Dr. Bates said that if they were able to get a change from a week to a month, we should make that a change to all the time.
Editors Note:
There is an Asian Pacific Heritage Month. It is May, the month the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. Congress passed a resolution in 1978 designating the first week of May as Asian American Heritage Week, and in 1992 congress resolved that all of May was Asian Pacific Heritage Month.
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