Black History Month kickoff
Reginald James
Issue date: 2/4/10 Last update: 2/4/10 at 4:50 AM PST
Section: News
Laney College kicked off Black History Month with speakers in the quad February 1.
The event began with a Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing–the Black National Anthem–performed by members of the Laney Black Student Union.
African American Studies professor Tamika Brown, chair of the Ethnic Studies department, discussed the 2010 Black History Month theme, “The History of Black Economic Empowerment.” She said the theme is significant today, and to upcoming campus events.
“We’ll have people talking about ‘Green Jobs’ and how Black people fit into that new economy,” Brown said, “as well as how the economy is affecting Black men.”
In some urban areas, the unemployment rate is as high as 50 percent, according to Brown.
“We’ll also discuss racism in society. Does it still exist post-Obama?” Brown asked.
Faculty Senate President Dr. Karolyn Van Putten said that Black History Month speaks to the “peculiar history” of the United States and the need for people of African Descent to “reclaim our identity from what was trashed,” referring to enslavement.
“Take this opportunity to expand beyond this black skin,” Van Putten said. She added that Black History is relevant to all people, not just African Americans.
Acting College President Dr. Elñora Webb spoke of the crippling affect slavery and racism has had on the psychology of African Americans, and the need to find value in all people.
“It’s important to know who we are and why we feel how we feel,” Webb said. “It’s important because the way we feel about ourselves has an impact on how we treat ourselves and other folks.”
Webb added that many of the behaviors have been passed down from slavery, generation to generation, but African people have a history beyond slavery.
“Slavery is just a recent part of our history,” Webb said. “We need to understand history to understand who we are as a complete people.”
The event began with a Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing–the Black National Anthem–performed by members of the Laney Black Student Union.
African American Studies professor Tamika Brown, chair of the Ethnic Studies department, discussed the 2010 Black History Month theme, “The History of Black Economic Empowerment.” She said the theme is significant today, and to upcoming campus events.
“We’ll have people talking about ‘Green Jobs’ and how Black people fit into that new economy,” Brown said, “as well as how the economy is affecting Black men.”
In some urban areas, the unemployment rate is as high as 50 percent, according to Brown.
“We’ll also discuss racism in society. Does it still exist post-Obama?” Brown asked.
Faculty Senate President Dr. Karolyn Van Putten said that Black History Month speaks to the “peculiar history” of the United States and the need for people of African Descent to “reclaim our identity from what was trashed,” referring to enslavement.
“Take this opportunity to expand beyond this black skin,” Van Putten said. She added that Black History is relevant to all people, not just African Americans.
Acting College President Dr. Elñora Webb spoke of the crippling affect slavery and racism has had on the psychology of African Americans, and the need to find value in all people.
“It’s important to know who we are and why we feel how we feel,” Webb said. “It’s important because the way we feel about ourselves has an impact on how we treat ourselves and other folks.”
Webb added that many of the behaviors have been passed down from slavery, generation to generation, but African people have a history beyond slavery.
“Slavery is just a recent part of our history,” Webb said. “We need to understand history to understand who we are as a complete people.”
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The Black Hour
posted 2/10/10 @ 9:52 AM PST
The Black Hour has excellent photos from the Black History Month jump off at Laney College on www.theblackhour.com.
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