Black Studies Program News
Jena 6
Otterbein students traveled to Jena, Louisiana on September 22, 2007, having already attended the earlier rally in Chicago. A multi-ethnic coalition of students, faculty and staff raised donations to travel to the historic march, donated funds to the legal defense fund and sponsored a simultaneous rally on campus. Some of the organizers of this student effort minor in Black Studies.
A Day for Global Citizenship and Social Justice, February 26, 2008
Roxanne Lawson of the TransAfrica Forum addressed our students on her experiences as an activist for global social justice. TransAfrica Forum is the nation's oldest African American organization dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in the African world through foreign policy of the United States. She also conducted a workshop on organizing social justice movements. Ms. Lawson is the Directof of Africa Policy at TransAfrica Forum. Prior to joing TransAfrica Forum, ms. Lawson served as the National Liaison for the American Friends Service committee and was national coordinator of AFSC's Life Over Debt campaign aimed at cancelling the illegitimate debt of African nations. She has also worked on the AFrican American Burial Grounds in New York City. She is a historical anthropologist by training with a Master's degree in Economics.
Film Screenings Sponsored by Black Studies
The Black Studies program periodically organizes film screenings on campus such as American films The Spook Who Sat by the Door and An Imitation of Life. African films have also been shown such as Bintou, One Evening in July, and Riches. Next year look for more films such as Ezra, the story of a child soldier.
African Dance Lessons
Master Drummer and Dance Instructor Ayinde West brought two members of the Imani Dance Troup to campus in Winter Quarter '07. About thirty students, faculty and Westerville residents tried Senegalese dance. We look forward to more lessons in 2008-9.
WIlliam Henry Fouse Project: North Star.
Become part of a new outreach program dedicated to helping our community partners give information to people who want to fulfill the American dream. Help us help others find their direction in life.
Benjamin Todd Jealous, 35, named the youngest and newest President and CEO of the NAACP on May 17, 2008.
Josh Packwood, 22, is the first white valedictorian at Morehouse University, the same Historically Black College attended by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.
The 54th Annual Japan Black Studies Conference.
Op Ed: "Critics of the Old Guard Take Black Activism Online" by Darryl Fears
Washington Post, May 4, 2008
The Crisis special edition: "The Fight for Environmental Justice"
