Multicultural Student Affairs is celebrating Black History Month with a focus on the accomplishments, culture and contribution of African-Americans in history and to this day.
Black History Month is the annual celebration of the accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history. The event began in 1926 with Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian, educator and scholar. In 1976, February was officially dedicated as Black History Month.
Leah Young, the assistant director for Student Transition and Success at Multicultural Student Affairs, spoke about how the theme would be implemented throughout the month in an array of events.
“It provides a space for us to reclaim our experiences, reclaim our identities and reclaim the way that we’re able to frame those for NC State as a whole,” Young said.
The theme of this year’s month, “Reclaiming Our Time: Solidifying Our Existence in the Wake of Resistance,” was developed by a group of NC State staff and students that are part of the Black History Month planning committee.
Young emphasized the importance of NC State students coming out to the events held in honor of Black History Month. She said that in order to understand the experience of being an African-American student, others must engage with their culture as well.
“I think it’s important to recognize that we live in a multicultural society, a multifaceted society,” Young said. “We’re doing ourselves a disservice by not engaging in other cultures and learning about them especially when we’re expecting people of those identities and of those cultures to educate us completely.”
According to Young, Black History Month is a chance for students to learn more about their fellow students.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come out and learn more about what the experience may be for black students or students who identify as black at NC State in a way that is safe and meaningful for those students without being tokenized for being a black student,” Young said.
Adam Hudson, a fourth-year studying microbiology, spoke about the importance of celebrating Black History Month on campus.
“I think that actually having a Black History Month kind of emphasizes important accomplishments that people might not be aware of otherwise,” Hudson said.
Hudson also said that the month helps students learn things that might not be taught in history classes.
“Black history isn’t something that’s really focused on in school,” Hudson said. “I think it’s very Eurocentric in most general history courses and I think there’s a lot of lack of knowledge about, like, African-American culture and history and important figures beyond the most obvious ones.”
The titles for the featured Black History Month programs will also all include the theme “Reclaiming Our…” which serves not only as an ode to the theme, but also to keeping up with African-American popular culture. These events include the kickoff on Thursday in Talley Student Union and the keynote speaker on Feb. 27.
Students can visit the Multicultural Student Affairs website for more details about Black History Month events occurring throughout the month.
