As the beginning of February approaches, many students and registered student organizations prepare to celebrate Black History Month, a time dedicated to annually acknowledging the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history.
Typically, Northwestern State University of Louisiana hosts several events for BHM, including movie screenings, music recitals and festivals. There are also events hosted outside of campus by the city of Natchitoches such as a community health fair, memorials for enslaved individuals, genealogy events and a parade.
Although it may seem that there are plenty of events in Natchitoches, some students feel that there is not enough being done to acknowledge BHM.
Keegan Martinez, freshman English major, is currently working to organize the annual BHM event for Louisiana Scholars’ College, this year taking the form of a movie night. However, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of acknowledgement regarding BHM events on campus.
“I haven’t seen anything about Black History Month. I think the school does more than Natchitoches would, but I haven’t seen anything advertised,” Martinez said.
It could be said that while there are several events on campus acknowledging BHM, they are advertised in a way that does not bring enough attention to them. Flyers in Kyser Hall or the Friedman Student Union do advertise the events, but many students do not take the time to look at them and often go unseen. John Dunn, professor of fine arts, believes that events for Black History Month could be better advertised at NSU.
“You have to get campus groups invested in this to help promote. Use your university professors, Greek Council, SGA, faculty senate or administration to help advertise specific events,” Dunn said. “Put signage up in the Student Union, cafeterias, academic buildings and dorms. Offer free food or prizes.”
Dunn said he wishes that NSU would do more for Black History Month, but also expressed satisfaction with the events that are already being held.
“I like the diverse events sponsored throughout the month: movie screenings, lunch and learns, guest lectures, events for kids at the library,” Dunn said. “I especially like kid-friendly events as a dad of 3 young kids, so I can take my children and we can have good discussions about this topic.”
Additionally, Kiara Davis, sophomore English major, feels as though the events on campus focus too heavily on famous Black historical figures and do not leave space for local voices. Davis believes that events for BHM at NSU should feature the accomplishments of students, faculty and well-known historical figures.
“Local people can come in and speak about their personal experiences with living in Louisiana as people of color,” Davis said. “There could even be small student events that share different Black cultures.”
In general, the different social and educational events held at NSU for Black History Month make it clear that the school is committed to its diverse student population. However, the events held here for BHM could be seen as uncreative or redundant, as they are essentially the same each year and focus on the same well-known names.
Martinez and Davis felt as though NSU leaves room to feature well-known historical figures, but local Black voices are often forgotten about. It is important that these names are celebrated, but space could be made for the individuals in our own community that are making an impact every day.