Diversity, divisions mark DBC's annual Black History Month
Christien Bradt
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Cover stories
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Hosted by the Student Government Association and the African-American Student Union in the Lenholt Student Center, the event exemplified the dynamic of a continued struggle within our community, both on campus and off.
Many students attended, including those from Bethune-Cookman University. Delegates from DBC, BCU and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University were all invited to light the first candles for a candlelight march as a show of unity. ERAU was absent, though a message of "shared spirit" was expressed during the service.
With rapt attention, students focused on the eloquent and moving speakers from a community whose cultural awareness may be a little out of focus this year.
While DeLand and Orlando advertised prominent Black History Month events, there are only blanks on the calendar in Daytona. This oversight, paired with Confederate flag hats seen on DBC's Daytona Campus the same day of Dr. King's memorial, are reminders that Black History Month is not outdated, nor is the need for more racial sensitivity on this, the 40th anniversary of the assassination of King.
"We as minorities, not just African-Americans, could do a better job to push the envelope on the issue," said Marc Campell, chair of the Mathematics Department at DBC.
Guest speaker Larry Wesley spoke at the memorial event and referenced Dr. King's speech "A Time to Break Silence" and in his own speech said, "America is fast approaching this time."
Attention was brought to the upcoming presidential elections as a reminder of the Civil Rights Movement not only as the origination of the right to vote for women and blacks, but also as an historic first.
"This is the first time we have the chance to vote for a woman and a person of African-American descent," Wesley said.
The allusion to Democratic Party candidate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama drove home the point that Black History is history and history is happening all the time.
"The separation of history does young people a disservice, segregating a united nation," Ursula Scott, Equity Director for DBC and co-chair for the Diversity Committee, said, reflecting on the continued need for Black History Month.
"People with good intentions touch on a few individuals who have contributed to the growth and productivity of the country, while other individuals who made a dynamic impression on the very things that shaped us are absent."
Inside the Lenholt Student Center there was no mistaking the fever of hope. Outside, there was little notice of the moving candlelight march. Another event was scheduled at the same time as the memorial in an adjacent building.
The contrast may have raised concern that there is cultural discord within the DBC community, but Scott refuted that.
"In private conversation and public forum, there is a passion for diversity at this institution. There is realistic dialogue and a sincere desire to promote diversity."
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