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| Students Celebrate Black History Month, Remember Struggles | ||||||
| Almost fifty years ago Chief Justice Earl Warren of the Supreme Court read a decision in a case that would go down in history and change the face of the civil rights movement. �The case, Brown v. Board of Education, was concluded in May of 1954 when Warren read the words, "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," ending school segregation and allowing black children to attend the same schools and sit in the same classes as white children. �This case is the theme of February's Black History Month, and black students and scholars alike still feel and recognize the importance of this case today. | ||||||
| Black History Month started in 1926 as "Negro History Week," after Dr. Carter G. Woodson realized that blacks were not getting the proper recognition for their contributions to society. �Until this time, blacks did not have a place in the history books, despite the fact that their struggles had already been taking place for decades. �In February of 1870, for example, the 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote, and later on that month Hiram R. Revels, the first black U.S. senator, would take office. �February of 1909 saw the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) by seven white men and one black man named W.E.B. DuBois, who would prove to be one of the most influential civil rights leaders, along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | ||||||
| "The black experience has contributed greatly to the foundation of America, so it is important to celebrate [blacks' achievements]," African Student Union president Leilani Ford said of February's celebration of the achievements blacks have made and the struggles they endured. �"Black History Month is not just for black people because the strides made have benefited all," Ford noted, alluding to the various important inventions blacks have made, including the golf tee, the guitar, the elevator, peanut butter, and every college student?s favorite device, the cellular phone. | ||||||
| Sophia Alexander, a senior studying journalism and black studies, believes Black History Month is essential to keep students aware of the struggles others have faced. �"A lot of people don't appreciate what they have today so February serves as a reminder that African Americans would not be where they are today if it weren't for Rosa Parks and her fight, as well as the march by Martin Luther King," Alexander said. �Even though Alexander does not know a lot of other black students, she does believe that Black History Month brings them together as a whole to express and participate in their own culture. | ||||||
| The ASU is one of the main groups behind a conscious effort to increase students' awareness of the importance of black history, and has co-sponsored a number of events taking place on-campus this month. �The first event was held on Tuesday, when Jeffrey Johnson, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, gave a speech to students entitled "Effects of Integration in Today's School System."� Various other events are scheduled to occur this month, including more guest speakers and the showing of Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" in the University Student Union. | ||||||
| Copyright Gerry Wachovsky, 2004, and Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. | ||||||
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