2008 Woodie Awards
Honoring black history
SBU plans activities for historic month
Alyson Browning
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
When most people think about February, they think about one day - Valentine's Day. But the entire month of February stands for something more historical and inspirational than the international day of love. February is Black History Month.
Honoring black history has evolved from a one-day celebration to a whole month. The celebration began in 1900 as paying homage to Frederick Douglass on his birthday, Feb. 14. Twenty-six years later, the celebration extended to a weeklong celebration in the second week of February. It wasn't until 1976 that the celebration expanded into an entire month.
February isn't significant for the sole reason of Frederick Douglass' birthday. There are several important dates in African American history in February. W.E.B. DuBois, and important civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was born Feb. 23, 1868. The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed Feb. 3, 1870, granting African Americans the right to vote. The first African American U.S. Senator, Hiram Rhodes Revels, took his oath of office Feb. 25, 1870. A group of black, Jewish and white citizens founded the NAACP in New York City Feb. 12, 1909. Three African American Muslims shot and killed Malcolm X, Black Nationalism promoter, Feb. 21, 1965.
So, why is Black History Month important to Southwest Baptist University? How does it impact the students?
"We celebrate Black History Month or any other cultural programming on campus, such as Native American Heritage, Hispanic Heritage Month and Asian / Pacific Islander Month to learn more about different cultures, to bring understanding from the past and the present, and hopefully to be more sensitive to all of our brothers and sisters," said Welch. "We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and have human commonalities, yet our differences are opportunities for learning and growth."
According to University statistics, SBU has seen a steady increase in its minority student population in the past four years. In 2003, minorities made up 4.4 percent of the University's student population. In 2004, the percentage jumped to 4.9 percent, followed by figures of 5.5 and 6.5 percent in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
With a small, but growing percentage, there is an even greater necessity to promote Black History. DaVine Student Ministry has planned a week full of Black History Month activities, sponsored by Multi-cultural Student Services Program.
"It's important because students don't understand the importance of Black History Month," said junior Nora Scott. "We want to give students more information. We want students to have an open mind. There's a new set of students every year, and we want the students have an open mind to new cultures."
The theme for Black History Month at SBU is COLORS (Continuing Our Life on Righteous Situations). The activities planned by DaVine will take place Monday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 23.
Honoring black history has evolved from a one-day celebration to a whole month. The celebration began in 1900 as paying homage to Frederick Douglass on his birthday, Feb. 14. Twenty-six years later, the celebration extended to a weeklong celebration in the second week of February. It wasn't until 1976 that the celebration expanded into an entire month.
February isn't significant for the sole reason of Frederick Douglass' birthday. There are several important dates in African American history in February. W.E.B. DuBois, and important civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was born Feb. 23, 1868. The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed Feb. 3, 1870, granting African Americans the right to vote. The first African American U.S. Senator, Hiram Rhodes Revels, took his oath of office Feb. 25, 1870. A group of black, Jewish and white citizens founded the NAACP in New York City Feb. 12, 1909. Three African American Muslims shot and killed Malcolm X, Black Nationalism promoter, Feb. 21, 1965.
So, why is Black History Month important to Southwest Baptist University? How does it impact the students?
"We celebrate Black History Month or any other cultural programming on campus, such as Native American Heritage, Hispanic Heritage Month and Asian / Pacific Islander Month to learn more about different cultures, to bring understanding from the past and the present, and hopefully to be more sensitive to all of our brothers and sisters," said Welch. "We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and have human commonalities, yet our differences are opportunities for learning and growth."
According to University statistics, SBU has seen a steady increase in its minority student population in the past four years. In 2003, minorities made up 4.4 percent of the University's student population. In 2004, the percentage jumped to 4.9 percent, followed by figures of 5.5 and 6.5 percent in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
With a small, but growing percentage, there is an even greater necessity to promote Black History. DaVine Student Ministry has planned a week full of Black History Month activities, sponsored by Multi-cultural Student Services Program.
"It's important because students don't understand the importance of Black History Month," said junior Nora Scott. "We want to give students more information. We want students to have an open mind. There's a new set of students every year, and we want the students have an open mind to new cultures."
The theme for Black History Month at SBU is COLORS (Continuing Our Life on Righteous Situations). The activities planned by DaVine will take place Monday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 23.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Barbara Pitts Miller ' 72
posted 2/09/07 @ 2:43 PM CST
It is good to hear that SBU is integrating the celebration of Black History Month into its overall programs. When I attended SWBC in the late 1960's and early 1970's we were not as fortunate to have the full campus participate in the offerings such as the ones discussed in the article (2/9/07). (Continued…)
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