February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the accomplishments of and celebrate the rich history of African-Americans. In celebration, groups at the University of Notre Dame are holding several events.
Events around campus include:
At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 10), Shades of Ebony, the Black Student Association and the Wabruda is hosting “#SayHerName,” a discussion on how the black community responds to the abuse of women. The discussion is open to all students, and it will take place in the basement of Keenan Hall.
“Shades of Ebony works to celebrate Black History and culture throughout the entire academic year,” said Ray’Von Jones, senior and president of Shades of Ebony. “For Black History Month, we are hosting two central events that highlight both the challenges and triumphs that have persisted in the black community in both the past and present. Our meeting titled ‘#SayHerName,’ in collaboration with the Wabruda and the Black Student Association, is an event in which we will discuss how the black community responds to the abuse of women (in terms of police brutality, domestic violence, sexual assault, etc.). This event will allow us to think critically about the role that we all play in ensuring that ALL in our community are protected, defended and, in general, well.”
As part of the Black History Month discussion series, MPEC (Multicultural Peace, Equality and Community) is sponsoring several discussions on the topic of “Securing a Spot in America: Do We Belong?” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in February in the McNeill Room of LaFortune Student Center. The discussion series is free and open to the public. Presentations include:
- “The Black Embodiment: Us vs. Them,” a talk focusing on the history of segregation and exclusion between African-Americans and the majority in the United States, Feb. 11.
- “The Civil Rights Movement: Then and Now,” a discussion on the origins of the Civil Rights Movement and its development into the Civil Rights Movement of today, Feb. 18.
- “New Racism, Different Day: From Klan Rides to Microagressions,” an open conversation about the historical occurrences of brutality against blacks and minorities and how this history is still reflected today, Feb. 25.
The Black Student Association, the African Student Association and the Africana Studies club will host an informal discussion about the Africana diaspora and Black History Month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 16 (Tuesday) in the basement of Keenan Hall. All students are welcome to partake in the discussion.
In a two-part discussion series, Shades of Ebony will sponsor a talk on the topic of black women and body image from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24 in the Walsh Hall Basement. All are welcome to join the discussion.
From 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24, the Black Faculty and Staff Association, the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture and Hesburgh Libraries will host a ND Black Lives Matter Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture. Open to the public, participants will research, write, and publish to Wikipedia the significant stories of the influential black alumni and faculty of Notre Dame. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/NDBlackLivesMatter.