Until I was a high school sophomore, I went to a school with exactly two black students. It came as a surprise, then, when at 16 years old I discovered there was such a thing as Black History Month - but it was a pleasant surprise as I began satisfying my hunger for cultural knowledge.
Harvard history scholar Carter G. Woodson began Negro History Week in 1926, and it eventually evolved into the month-long celebration we know today as Black History Month. Each February, the accomplishments of black individuals in American society are commemorated through special events and activities.
According to The History Channel's Web site, Woodson wanted "the world [to] see the Negro as a participant rather than as a lay figure in history" - and in many ways his vision has come true.
Tomorrow begins Black History Month, and there's plenty going on at Ball State University to celebrate. Students, faculty, staff and Muncie community members all have the opportunity to experience special guest speakers, films, workshops, performances and much more over the next few weeks.
Feb. 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to Black Students Association President Devin Day, free and confidential testing will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Art and Journalism room 213; there will also be a panel discussion about HIV and AIDS at 7 p.m. in L.A. Pittenger Student Center Pineshelf Room.
The Black History March will be held Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. beginning at Shafer Tower The march will end at the Student Center. African American Parents Weekend begins Feb. 17.
Any film enthusiast will enjoy "Hotel Rwanda" (Feb. 3), "Crash" (Feb. 14) and "The Untold Story of Louis Emmett Till" (Feb. 24), which are showing at Pruis Hall.
If you're in the mood for music, be sure to buy your tickets now for legendary blues man B. B. King, performing live at Emens on Feb. 14 - and be sure to bring your valentine.
When you need a break from that fascinating "Introduction to Psychology" textbook, pick up a novel or work of poetry written by a wonderful black author like Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, W. E. B. DuBois or Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. In fact, try reading their works during those other 11 months, too.
While Black History Month might provide many fun and interesting things to do on campus - far more than can be listed here - that's certainly not the only purpose of the event.
"Black History Month is important not only to blacks, but [it] is history for all Americans to value," Devin Day, president of the Black Students Association, said. "This Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of blacks to society, give information that is often not taught in the classroom and to promote diversity on campus.
"Black history should not only be celebrated in the month of February but should be celebrated throughout the year."
It's crucial to promote awareness of many different cultural groups, since the world we live in is multifaceted and vibrant - not just black and white.
All students at Ball State are guaranteed by the randomness of life to meet and interact with people who are vastly different from them.
And one thing I've found is the only way to understand and appreciate the unending variations on the human theme is to learn as much as you can about those whose lives are different from your own.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
