the black nationalist.: You won't believe how my school is "celebrating" Black History Month
We are currently protesting and petitioning against our school’s “Breaking Barriers” series, which claims to be a “celebration” of Black History Month. After reading the topics of discussion and their descriptions, we are infuriated. Not only is this series held in the last full week of February and seem to encourage non-poc students to ask “what we all want to know but never wanted to ask”, the topics seem to highlight the stereotypical ills of the black community and do nothing to teach us any real African-American History. We CANNOT let this happen.
Breaking Color Barriers
In Celebration of Black History Month
Break Barriers is a week-long event, sponsored by Housing and Residence Life, geared towards those students who are looking to acquire and expand their knowledge of African-American culture. Topics will range from the history of African-American people to what we all want to know but never wanted to ask. Now is your time to come and BREAK BARRIERS! Each night will focus on a specific topic concerning the Black community.
- Monday, February 20 - Black Eye Presented by Cameron Agerston, Katie Burhnam, and Ben Huff
Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Rihanna. The violence they have encountered is not isolated celebrity scandals. These bouts of ongoing intimate partner violence occur every day, especially in the African-American community. This program is a critical analysis of intimate partner violence, which is currently prevalent within the African-American population. Topics will include: media portrayals of intimate partner violence, the reasoning behind its prevalence in the black community, and an expert’s on how to decrease the percentage of intimate partner violence.- Tuesday, February 21 - Booker T. Washington in Southern Italy: Observations on Women’s Life and Parallels with the American South
In 1910, Booker T. Washington made grand tour of Europe, and found southern Italy and Sicily particularly fascinating. Dr. Pardini will relate Booker T. Washington’s perceptions of the status of Sicilian peasants, especially women, to female slaves of the South in the U.S.BIO: Dr. Samuele Pardini, who teaches Italian and American Studies at Elon University, is currently writing a book that includes observations of Booker T. Washington found in his book about his travels, The Man Farthest Down, and Emanuele Crialese’s highly regarded film, Nuovo Mondo (Golden Door) that treats immigration from Sicily to the U.S. The book is titled In the Name of the Mother. Italian Americans, African-Americans and Modernity.
- Wednesday, February 22 - Addicted to the Creamy Crack Presented by Breona Gonzalez, Kim Robinson, & Kofi Stitt
Don’t be shy! Come get the answers to the questions about black hair that you were always afraid to ask: What does a perm do for Black girls’ hair? Why do Black girls wear weave? What is up with everyone going natural? The presentation will include clips of the popular movie, Good Hair.- Thursday, February 23 - Hide Ya Kids, Hide Ya Wife? Presented by Charmell Kittrell, Matthew Shelly, Kofi Stitt, & Domonique Williams
“What does it mean to be an Oreo? Why can’t I just be articulate? Am I not light enough? Am I supposed to roll my neck when I talk? What’s the difference between being ‘hood’ and being ‘ghetto’? Is there a difference? Come learn about the hierarchy in the black community and black stereotypes.- Friday, February 24 - Everybody Move to the Back of the Bus Presented by Charmell Kittrell, Briana Kitchel, & Domonique Williams
Since the desegregation of the public school system, African Americans have made strides in achieving success in higher education across the nation. How does UNCG play a role in helping African-Americans achieve academic success and work towards graduation? Do we all make it to the finish line? Come listen to the educational experiences of African-Americans at Predominantly White Institutions and express your opinion on the topic.
