Black History events poorly attended
By Frank Skrip
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 2/25/05 Section: News
| |
|
The programs, which began Feb. 2 with readings from African American author Thea Monyee, and will end Feb. 28 with a luncheon featuring Tony Mitchell, a Penn State professor of African/African American Studies.
Black Action Society Vice President Sherilyn Land said that she thinks the events ultimately should have been better attended.
"I don't think the SRU community has embraced Black History Month at all," Land said. "Even though some people are attending these events, it's really not that many."
Land said that some students complained that most of the Black History Month events were held on the same night as basketball games; however, she said that lots of people showed up for the Mitch Hedberg stand-up comedy show Wednesday, despite a basketball game going on.
"The one event that I saw the most people at this month was the Mitch Hedberg show, and that was not even one of our events," Land said. "A lot of the programs we did were to educate people about African Americans. I'm sure everyone learned a lot about that from Mitch Hedberg."
Black Action Society Advisor Robert Clay said he feels it is important that more people attend these events to promote diversity and gain a better understanding of other cultures.
"Everyone needs to acknowledge the diverse population at this university," Clay said. "Also, it is important to recognize the contributions of those diverse populations everywhere, not just at SRU."
Clay said that the number of people that attended the events isn't necessarily the important thing, as long as people understand the meaning of Black History Month.
"I just hope that people took the time this month to reflect on the contributions of black Americans," Clay said. "It would be great to see more events celebrating all cultures all year, not just during one month."
This week's events have followed a month of programs celebrating black history. Following the kickoff event from Thea Monyee, the movie "Rosewood" was shown on Feb. 5.
The Black African American Caucus sponsored an African-American Reading Chain on Feb. 6.
Black Aids Awareness Day was held on Feb. 7, sponsored by SRU's HOPE project, peer education group and the Black Action Society.
The most popular event of the month, Land said, was a lecture by rapper and lecturer Chuck D, of the rap group Public Enemy.
"Chuck D's message was very good, I just wish that more people could have heard it," Land said.
Wayne Forbes, assistant professor of biology, and Christophas Walker, director of SRU's Frederick Douglas Institute, facilitated The Transition Brotherhood Series, which was sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Programs and held on Feb. 9.
The film "Ray" was shown on Feb. 12, sponsored by the Black Action Society.
The President's Commision on Race and Ethnicity sponsored a discussion on Feb.15 entitled "Encountering Diversity: Minority Applicants and the Search Committee."
Also on Feb. 15, there was a panel discussion on the "State of America," sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Programs.
The film "Martin Lawrence Live- Runtelldat" was shown on Feb. 19, sponsored by the Black Action Society. "Black Jeopardy...know your heritage" was a game played on Feb. 21, which was hosted by the Black Action Society, and Students United for Minority Affairs.
Tonight, the Black Action Society will host an Ebony Ball in the Union. Tickets will not be sold at the door. "Soul Plane" will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. in Strain Behavioral Science Building, followed by a 7 p.m. performance by the rhythm and blues group Epitome in the University Union.
