Celebrate contributions of notable Americans during Black History Month
Veronica Lopez
The Signal
Events will be held throughout February at the University of Houston-Clear Lake to provide students, faculty and staff the opportunity to celebrate the identity of notable Americans during Black History Month.
The events, which are sponsored by both the Office of Intercultural and International Student Services (IISS) and the Black Students Association (BSA), kicked off Feb. 1 with a book display in the Neumann Library and a showing of “The Powerbroker,” a film documenting the life of influential American civil rights leader Whitney Young, Jr.
The film was followed by brief lectures and a question-and-answer session by Everette Penn, professor of criminology, and Stephen Cherry, professor of sociology.
Penn spoke of the effect that people’s perception of other’s identities can have on personal advancement and how vital it is to use teaching methods and instruction rather than force, as Whitney Young demonstrated through his businessman approach in “The Powerbroker.”
Penn also noted that focus needs to be placed on promoting the common welfare for all, especially in the midst of the backlash of President Obama’s second election. He recommends attending Reverend Andrew Berry’s lecture “Where Are We Now? America in the Obama Era!” Feb. 12 in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building.
“Black History Month is not all about race; it’s about making equality reign,” Penn said.
Cherry spoke of the integrity involved in overcoming racial conflicts through peaceful means. He said the identity of those who achieved this through the course of black history must be recognized and pointed out its importance to American history.
“Too many people don’t get recognized, especially in the shortest month of the year, and for something that is a part of American history,” Cherry said.
Cherry also believes it is significant that we realize how difficult it was, especially during the Civil Rights Movement, for black individuals to secure an identity.
“There were those taking the calm, diplomatic way like King, those taking the businessman way like Young, and those taking the forceful way like the black power movement, and each of these is a different identity that sometimes challenged the identity of the others,” Cherry said.
Assistant Director of IISS Susana Hernandez believes it is beneficial to the UHCL community to hold the events because it gives students the opportunity to join the nation in celebration, acknowledges to the UHCL black community that the university cares, and educates the community.
“It is important that we educate and highlight current issues and most importantly celebrate successes,” Hernandez said.
Tomeka Banks, president of BSA, believes it is important to the UHCL community to hold the events because black history is rich, especially in the United States, and it is essential to educate outside of the mainstream.
“There is no American history without black history,” Banks said.
Banks appreciates the hard work of Whitney Young and all who held on tight to their identities and made significant advances to civil rights.
“I can identify and I am thankful for their work because it gives me my life today; it makes me proud and makes me love people more,” Banks said.
