Black History Month at a White University: Is There a Difference?

Less than a week into February, I stumbled upon a tweet from, Chris, one of my college friends on Twitter:

"'Now everybody wanna focus on Black History. Y’all are so 'seasonal' .... SMH"

We discuss (and often complain) about the fact that we celebrate Black History during the shortest month of the year, but has anyone ever taken the time to find out why?

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History month and the second African-American to receive a degree from Harvard University, believed in preserving one’s heritage. He wanted it to be in February to honor the birth of two men whose actions drastically altered the future of Black Americans, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. What started as just a week, eventually turned into a month.

I attend an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), which happens to be the first university owned and operated by African-Americans. It was originally called Wilberforce College, and today is known as Central State University.

There’s definitely no way to escape being taught Black History here. “Intro to African American History” is a course that we have to take and pass in order to graduate from the institution. We also have classes such as “African American Art History” and “African Theatre” that we can choose to take as elective courses.

At Central State University, Black History is celebrated but it’s definitely not as big as Carter G. Woodson would’ve imagined. Sure, there are things going on all over campus – Black History movie night every Friday, upcoming stage plays and countless Black History forums - but it’s the lack of participation from the students that poses a problem. What can the hosts do to make sure that the attendance at Black History movie night is as high as a Greek party or any other social event?

Well, what about this question? Ever wonder what it's like during Black History Month at a PWI (Predominantly White Institution)? I talked to my friend Whitley Roberts, who’s a senior at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana to give me some insight.


Stefanie Philpott: What’s Black History Month like at Ball State?

Whitley Roberts: I feel that Black History Month at my school is almost just the same as it would be at any other university with a similar population. We have four main multicultural groups here that work very hard to implement diversity into the campus, so creating Black History Month events has never seemed to be a problem since I’ve been here.

SP: At events during Black History Month, do all students participate or just those who are African-American?

WR: There are students of different backgrounds who attend Black History Month events. The most support from students during Black History Month comes from the Black Student Association, the Latino Student Union, Spectrum (our GLBTQ community) and the Asian American Student Association. Other organizations and students support as well, but it isn’t as obvious as those four multicultural groups on campus.

SP: Is it celebrated and observed?

WR: Black History Month is celebrated and observed at my school. Throughout the entire month of February events are hosted to celebrate the holiday. These events are not just hosted by the Black Student Association, but by other multicultural groups and other campus organizations. Our main library has a table at one of its entrances with books and other information with more detail about the holiday as well as different content related to the Black culture.

SP: What would you like to see happen more during this month?

WR: During Black History Month, I would love to see more Black students supporting the events that are hosted throughout the month. I would also like to see other cultures that aren’t in the organizations that host these events participate in the Black History Month events.

SP: Do you celebrate Black History Month in your own way?

WR: I celebrate Black History Month by supporting and going to the different events that are hosted at my university. I also try to read up on prominent African-Americans that I may not have learned about earlier in my education as a child.

SP: What can the professors at your university do to engage students more during Black History Month?

WR: It would be nice for professors with courses related to history, culture and development to lecture knowledgeably about Black history. And not just for one day or two class periods. I haven’t had the chance to take a class that requires Black history to be taught, however so much time is spent on American history and Black history is forgotten, but Black history is an important part of American history.  I truly do appreciate the fact that the Black culture has an entire month to be celebrated. I feel that in a way, this is our only way to share our culture and history with those who may be ignorant of the culture.

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Did you attend a PWI or HBCU? What was Black History like at your school?

Do you agree with Chris' comment? Do you think that people are pretty “seasonal” when it comes to Black History Month and other things we should pay attention to daily?

Engage.

[My Stupendous Intern] Stefanie Philpott is a Senior at Central State University majoring in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Media. She will be attending Roosevelt University for Graduate School and majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications in the Fall of 2011.

When she isn’t buried in the books or studying for finals, she’s wearing many hats as the President and Founder of the “Campus Connection” radio club, along with many other campus activities. She loves to shop, hang with friends, and network! Whatever she does, she wants to impact people's lives just as the people she watched, heard, or read about when she was growing up did for her.