This February, Black History month has a new focus: looking toward the future.
With a black candidate eligible for the presidency, accomplishing change is a possibility.
A major theme of this year's celebration is the focus on accomplishments and the future, according to the Office of Multicultural Affairs's (OMA) Web site. At Syracuse University, the OMA is hosting events to commemorate the struggles of blacks throughout the years, while still looking toward the future.
"With (Barack) Obama running, it shows that African Americans are a big part of the future and are striving to become a prevalent force in today's society," said Michelle Henderson, a junior Spanish language/literature and culture and African-American studies major.
Senior political science and African-American studies major Yusuf Abdul-Qadir agreed because of the nomination of both a woman and a Black man in this election.
"It is specifically important being African American because the struggles African Americans have gone through set the path for people like Barack Obama," he said
The OMA said everyone can learn something from Black History Month by embracing campus diversity
"With the election, I think people will be more aware [of Black History month], but I don't know how much more involved they will be," Henderson said.
To spur involvement, the OMA encourages students to take advantage of the events and explore black history.
Friday's kickoff for Black History Month featured soul foods in the Schine Student Center, and it gave students the opportunity to learn about the month's celebratory events.
Thursday's event is a commemorative lecture by Joan Morgan, an award-winning author, journalist and cultural critic. With her expertise in hip-hop and gender, Morgan will lecture students on "hip-hop feminism," which will also include a discussion about racial and gender divides.
Morgan has been teaching and making appearances on radio and television, including MTV, BET and VH1, to spread her message.
"I encourage the university community to attend as many of these events as possible, particularly the Commemorative Lecture by Joan Morgan on Thursday," said James Duah-Agyeman, the university's chief diversity officer and director of OMA to SUNews.
"Since she is a hip-hop journalist, it is my hope that her words would cause us to gain insights to incite change in our everyday lives as students, faculty and staff, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation," he said.
The event is free of charge and will take place in Maxwell Auditorium.
Some organizations, including The Black Communications Society and Delta Lambda Phi will collaborate with LGBT studies for Black History Month to sponsor "Totally Fabulous" in Schine Underground. The groups are hosting the sixth year of this competition to find the Drag King and Queen for 2008 on the Hill.
As for a more musical celebration, The Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation and SU will collaborate to bring Barbara Morrison, Los Angeles jazz vocalist and cabaret entertainer back to SU for its annual jazz cabaret concert.
Morrison will perform with the CNY Jazz Quartet, Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, Windjammer and others in the Schine Underground.
"We celebrate the rich and diverse traditions of black people all over the world and their struggle for freedom and equality," Duah-Agyeman said.
Tickets are available at the Schine Center Box office, $3 with a student I.D. or $5 for the public. The event is from 4 to 7 p.m on Feb. 17.
"Many fail to recognize that African-American history is just ripped and torn pages from American history," Abdul-Qadir said. "The least amount of credit is given to African- American history even though African Americans have been innovators in American history and world history."
"It is important that people recognize that African Americans have a huge impact on the country," Henderson said. "Black people have a huge influence, and people fail to realize this because it is not brought to the surface. If that means that it takes a month out of the year to focus on African Americans, it's good."
sdmusat@syr.edu
jlbissel@syr.edu
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