Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Courtesy of blackstate.com A portriat picture of "The Father of Black History,"Carter G. Woodson

From slavery to freedom: the story of Africans in the Americas has become the national theme for the month-long celebration of Black History. Since 1926, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History has established many themes to help signify African-American life and its impact on history.

Celebrated author and scholar, Carter G. Woodson, established what was originally known as Negro History week in 1926. This historic event evolved from one week to a whole month in 1976. Black History Month is an event with intentions to never command or limit exploration of the black experience, but to bring important developments that merit emphasis to the public's attention.

"I don't just celebrate Black History Month in February, it is supposed to be celebrated 365 days of the year," said Black Student Union President, Cameron Bryant.

The BSU and the Associated Students of Chabot College are planning on having a dominoes tournament and an open-mic event today at College Hour. Both events will have prizes, drinks and food allowing students to get to know one another as well as the BSU and their mission.

So far the BSU has only eight students compared to the great number of individuals present on the campus. The Black Student Union is not just for African-American Students, so all are welcomed in celebrating and representing Afro-centrism.

In the future the BSU president would like to show documentaries on campus as well as starting a book club portraying and commemorating African-American literature.

"To be honest I didn't know that we had a BSU; that is ridiculous because there are more than eight people that sit here and say that we need changes. People need to know that we are more than just slavery," said 18 year-old psychology major, Dawnisha Smith.

If individuals believe in a change for the betterment of the African culture as a whole, the BSU can be used as a vessel allowing students voices to be heard to implement a greater change for the people in the future.

February is a representation of great accomplishment for the African-American community. Many people may not believe this to be true, due to the fact that even members of the community have dropped the ball themselves.

"I think it is very important, but I think it has faded out over the years. It is February and besides thinking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or maybe even Malcom X, this has just become another month," says criminal law major, 21 year-old Iedris Akande. "I would like to see Chabot support it more but if they don't, I wouldn't really hold them responsible because nobody really cares as much as they should …people are more worried about Valentine's Day than Black History Month to keep it real."

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