 "Photo: Benjamin Williams")
In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of Diversity, Black Leaders on Campus, Men of Honor and eight other sponsors are taking strides to teach people about the black community.
Eighteen events are scheduled to take place throughout the month, said senior Walter Torrence, sociology major and BLOC President.
Through the month of February, students can attend presentations, concerts, movie showings and museum displays around campus, said Tray Robinson, director of University Diversity Programs.
Events will be geared toward different parts of the black community and not just its history, he said.
Major issues facing the black community that will be addressed are HIV and AIDS, Robinson said.
Many people still think it cannot happen to them, he said.
Other events include a hip-hop concert, a Battle of the Sexes presentation and a Conversation on Diversity addressing race and violence.
The music department will be hosting a screening of “Still Bill,” a documentary about singer Bill Withers, who sang, “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
Some of the multicultural organizations see these events as a necessity for learning, Torrence said.
The main goal of Black History Month is to educate people, he said.
Through these events, BLOC is hoping to increase student awareness.
“We want to show a lot of history they don’t tell in schools,” Torrence said.
Preparations for the month’s events started a year ago, but the events have been continually changing, Robinson said.
BLOC and Men of Honor held separate meetings about plans for Black History Month and, although they never planned anything together, both organizations came to the conclusion they needed to reach more people, Torrence said.
Black History Month was also celebrated on campus last year, but not many students attended the events, he said.
Student schedules sometimes prevent them from having the time to participate, said senior Ronnie Cole, a computer science major.
“I see the fliers but I don’t stop to look at them,” he said. “I’m busy with my own stuff.”
The organizations involved are actively advertising the events to try to increase student involvement, Torrence said.
Diversity and culture is something that should be celebrated all year long, but this month it is a great time for people to focus, honor and educate, Robinson said.
“I hope people participate, attend, engage,” he said. “I hope people are challenged and uncomfortable.”
Almendra Carpizo can be reached at
acarpizo@theorion.com
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