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Black History Month elicits mixed feelings

by Caitlin Carmody

When Dr. Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week in 1926, he hoped that someday the nation wouldn't need a yearly reminder that black history was a part of American history.

Eighty years later, Negro History Week has become Black History Month and many Grinnellians are still waiting. Many question whether black history has really been incorporated into the white American narrative, and whether devoting four weeks to black history can produce productive dialogue about issues that are usually considered taboo.

This month the college is sponsoring several events in honor of Black History Month, including a presentation this Tuesday on the Negro Spiritual. Concerned Black Students (CBS) is also hosting events throughout the month, including panel discussions, film showings and theme parties.

The question for some, however, is not just how to celebrate Black History Month, but whether to celebrate it at all.

Katya Gibel Azoulay, Anthropology, said she sees Black History Month as an "insult" and agrees with actor Morgan Freeman that "we don't have ?White History Month' because we have white history 12 months of the year," she said.

"The Anglo-American Protestant experience has been normalized to such a degree that every other history that makes up the American narrative is singled out."

Some see Black History Month as an attempt to fulfill politically correct expectations without actually addressing problems of racism.

"We, the privileged population, know [acknowledging black history] needs to happen, but we're not willing to give up all our white history or change the curriculm of the schools, [so] we're just going to make it into a holiday," Emily Danielson '06, member of the Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW) said.

But Ralph Russell, Music professor and director of the Young, Gifted and Black (YGB) choir, said that while there are still problems regarding race in America and at Grinnell, he thinks Black History Month is important, just as Women's History Month is important.

"It gives us an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments and contributions black artists, composers, leaders and social activists who have given to America and to the global community," he said.

Despite reservations about the value of a monthly designation, some Grinnellians are utilizing it as an opportunity for education. Veronique Porter '08, vice spokesperson for CBS, said that CBS events are meant to be informational and open to everyone, regardless of their race.

"In a lot of ways, ignorance causes racism, and a lot of prejudice comes from incorrect teaching," she said.

Porter thinks that the dedication of Hannibal Kershaw Hall, currently East Hall B, on Feb. 23 is an important milestone for the college because typically buildings on campus are named after generous donors. Kershaw, however, is being honored because he was the first African-American to graduate from Grinnell.

"For the college to acknowledge that money is not everything is a step in the right direction," she said. "Most minorities don't have a lot of money, and the college is acknowledging that and it shows they do care to a certain extent."

The college has made an effort to change the predominantly white composition of the campus; over 20 percent of the entering class of 2009 were students of color, up from 12.7 percent in 1996 and 13.2 percent in 2001, according to the Admission office.

But Azoulay said that's not enough.

"The assumption is that [the college] will remain predominantly white, but we don't say that. The assumption is that new faculty will be predominantly white, and then a special effort will be made to find a person of color," she said.

Talked about or not, racism is still there, Russell said. He said that he often talks with students who are ignored by professors in class, or who feel excluded in study groups or projects with other students.

According to CARW leader Jane Hereth '06, many students are surprised that racism is still a problem at institutions like Grinnell, which prides itself on open-mindedness and acceptance.

"For white people learning about racism, it is sometimes a shocking experience, and it takes some adjustment and some hearing a couple different times for white people to realize that this is going on," she said.

This discomfort is reflected in the level of participation at campus events about race. Porter said that race is something students are wary of discussing, noting that at an affirmative action panel, for example, ?only the bold will come out to even listen.'

"When it comes to certain things, Grinnell gets ... hesitant and quiet, and not as happy and quick to act and participate in things that have to do with race," she said.

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