Black History Month going beyond February
By Jessica Pharm
February is Black History Month, a time set aside to celebrate the many accomplishments of African Americans. From the sung to the unsung, it is important
now more than ever to realize that we must effectively advocate for change through our own actions, instead merely just recognizing its February.
Many have argued that Black History Month has become a repetitive, commercialized event by companies trying to get African American that has tarnished
the month’s purpose. Others however, feel that Black History Month is a great platform to bring to light the many social inequalities that still plague our
communities.
Professor Michael Thornton, who teaches African American studies here at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the faculty director of the Morgridge
Center, still sees the need for Black History Month. “Having a month dedicated to a celebrating the history of an oppressed group, at least forces people to talk
about our experiences,” Thornton said. “Our history is just as important but has been negated for a long time by the powers that be, so until our and everyone else’
s history is discussed together as American history, we still need this month.”
Another concern is the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans in the past, and connecting this with the present. African American students
here at UW-Madison, have used this month to talk about issues pertaining to them as Black college students, such as those dealing with the lack of diversity on
campus and its ramifications. One student in particular, Martinez White, The Capital City Hues very own, is working on a documentary he hopes will having
lasting impact on campus long after he is gone.
The documentary titled, “Like Touching a Hot Stove,” explores the challenges African Americans students face on a predominantly White campus.
“Coming from an inner city community, going to majority Black school, I was ill-prepared not only for college but also racial climate, I face as a Black male
here,” White stated. “It was a rude awakening that left many Black students depressed about their college prospects.”
Seeking funding for his project, White applied for a grant through the Morgridge Center, an organization that works to connect the university to the larger
community, through volunteer and public service. Thornton reviewed White’s application and decided to fund the project.
“White’s approach about a subject that has been covered before was completely different. Had he come to us with just a mere essay, then we wouldn’t have
agreed to it,” Thornton stated. “This documentary has the potential to encourage dialogue among different groups on campus and allow Black students to talk
about the issues themselves.”
Such issues are the isolation of African American students on campus, and the misconceptions White students have about them and where they come from.
“A lot of students on this campus feel that African American students didn’t earn their place here on campus; that we are here due to some kind of Affirmative
Action. This negative viewpoint hinders any progress towards understanding.” White stated.
Thornton also commented about this belief and countered, “Students of color who attend this University have this stigma attached to them, a feeling of
being the ‘other’. People talk about Affirmative Action, but really have no idea what it is, students of color don’t usually benefit from these programs as much as
people think.”
What does this mean? It means that despite the major changes that occurred with the election of Barack Obama, and other African Americans who were
elected into prominent positions in government, we still have a long way to go. For many, the election of Obama, while a great achievement that goes well
beyond the man himself, still did not change the day to day hassles African Americans go through everyday. This documentary about the challenges and
prejudices Black students face on a college campus serves to remind us of that.
“Looking ahead, the overall truth is in order for this country to excel, we have to deal with the deeply embedded issues of race relations and diversity. In
order to be progressive, these topics must be addressed and explored by all parties (White/Black, young/old), Martinez said. “Without this occurrence, we might
feel as if we are taking steps in the right direction but not recognize those steps are being taken on a wheel and axle.”
Black History Month needs to be more than merely recognizing the month in passing, but understanding social inequalities, discrimination still exists and we
must do everything we can to change it.
If you want more information about the Morgridge Center, please go to the website: http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/
February is Black History Month, a time set aside to celebrate the many accomplishments of African Americans. From the sung to the unsung, it is important
now more than ever to realize that we must effectively advocate for change through our own actions, instead merely just recognizing its February.
Many have argued that Black History Month has become a repetitive, commercialized event by companies trying to get African American that has tarnished
the month’s purpose. Others however, feel that Black History Month is a great platform to bring to light the many social inequalities that still plague our
communities.
Professor Michael Thornton, who teaches African American studies here at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the faculty director of the Morgridge
Center, still sees the need for Black History Month. “Having a month dedicated to a celebrating the history of an oppressed group, at least forces people to talk
about our experiences,” Thornton said. “Our history is just as important but has been negated for a long time by the powers that be, so until our and everyone else’
s history is discussed together as American history, we still need this month.”
Another concern is the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans in the past, and connecting this with the present. African American students
here at UW-Madison, have used this month to talk about issues pertaining to them as Black college students, such as those dealing with the lack of diversity on
campus and its ramifications. One student in particular, Martinez White, The Capital City Hues very own, is working on a documentary he hopes will having
lasting impact on campus long after he is gone.
The documentary titled, “Like Touching a Hot Stove,” explores the challenges African Americans students face on a predominantly White campus.
“Coming from an inner city community, going to majority Black school, I was ill-prepared not only for college but also racial climate, I face as a Black male
here,” White stated. “It was a rude awakening that left many Black students depressed about their college prospects.”
Seeking funding for his project, White applied for a grant through the Morgridge Center, an organization that works to connect the university to the larger
community, through volunteer and public service. Thornton reviewed White’s application and decided to fund the project.
“White’s approach about a subject that has been covered before was completely different. Had he come to us with just a mere essay, then we wouldn’t have
agreed to it,” Thornton stated. “This documentary has the potential to encourage dialogue among different groups on campus and allow Black students to talk
about the issues themselves.”
Such issues are the isolation of African American students on campus, and the misconceptions White students have about them and where they come from.
“A lot of students on this campus feel that African American students didn’t earn their place here on campus; that we are here due to some kind of Affirmative
Action. This negative viewpoint hinders any progress towards understanding.” White stated.
Thornton also commented about this belief and countered, “Students of color who attend this University have this stigma attached to them, a feeling of
being the ‘other’. People talk about Affirmative Action, but really have no idea what it is, students of color don’t usually benefit from these programs as much as
people think.”
What does this mean? It means that despite the major changes that occurred with the election of Barack Obama, and other African Americans who were
elected into prominent positions in government, we still have a long way to go. For many, the election of Obama, while a great achievement that goes well
beyond the man himself, still did not change the day to day hassles African Americans go through everyday. This documentary about the challenges and
prejudices Black students face on a college campus serves to remind us of that.
“Looking ahead, the overall truth is in order for this country to excel, we have to deal with the deeply embedded issues of race relations and diversity. In
order to be progressive, these topics must be addressed and explored by all parties (White/Black, young/old), Martinez said. “Without this occurrence, we might
feel as if we are taking steps in the right direction but not recognize those steps are being taken on a wheel and axle.”
Black History Month needs to be more than merely recognizing the month in passing, but understanding social inequalities, discrimination still exists and we
must do everything we can to change it.
If you want more information about the Morgridge Center, please go to the website: http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/