What is black?
BlackThink presents WashU speaker, presentation on race classification
Whitney Tate
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
As Black Heritage Month enters its final week, Campus Activities Board is presenting BlackThink, a presentation focusing on "Who is Black, and How Do You Determine Black?"
Guest speaker Kimberly Norwood, a professor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, will address this issue from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Morris University Center's Goshen Lounge.
Norwood gave a similar speech at SIUE last year, and Steve Sperotto, director of the Kimmel Leadership Center, remembered how well it was received.
"The whole discussion was on how African-Americans are classified, when in reality, they're as diverse as anyone else," Sperotto said.
Something that will be offered this year that was not included last year, is the concept of "What is black?" and how it is influencing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's political campaign. Norwood said because of Obama's mixed heritage, some members of the black community debate on whether or not Obama is black and how that can be determined.
"I wrote an editorial a year or so ago that talked about how ridiculous it was to be having this debate," Norwood said.
Norwood said she does not believe in set standards.
"Everyone should have his or her own voice on the matter," she said.
Still connecting the issue to politics, Norwood said race issues should have little to do with the election process. She said larger issues such as unemployment, education and health care should be dealt with.
Norwood said some people use a "checklist" when describing blacks and that certain assumptions, such as political parties and financial statuses, are made.
"I really hope people will buy into my argument that all black people are not alike," Norwood. "I want to eliminate that checklist."
Although this workshop is offering a number of things presented in Norwood's previous speech, other issues are being introduced this year. As Black History Month comes to a close, BlackThink provides a final look at our nation and where it stands and whether it is, in fact, united or divided.
Political science professor Maurice Mangum said Norwood's presentation last year was important.
"It's a way to honor Black Heritage Month," Mangum said. "SIUE is a poorly diversified school. Perhaps this will help the campus understand that."
Guest speaker Kimberly Norwood, a professor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, will address this issue from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Morris University Center's Goshen Lounge.
Norwood gave a similar speech at SIUE last year, and Steve Sperotto, director of the Kimmel Leadership Center, remembered how well it was received.
"The whole discussion was on how African-Americans are classified, when in reality, they're as diverse as anyone else," Sperotto said.
Something that will be offered this year that was not included last year, is the concept of "What is black?" and how it is influencing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's political campaign. Norwood said because of Obama's mixed heritage, some members of the black community debate on whether or not Obama is black and how that can be determined.
"I wrote an editorial a year or so ago that talked about how ridiculous it was to be having this debate," Norwood said.
Norwood said she does not believe in set standards.
"Everyone should have his or her own voice on the matter," she said.
Still connecting the issue to politics, Norwood said race issues should have little to do with the election process. She said larger issues such as unemployment, education and health care should be dealt with.
Norwood said some people use a "checklist" when describing blacks and that certain assumptions, such as political parties and financial statuses, are made.
"I really hope people will buy into my argument that all black people are not alike," Norwood. "I want to eliminate that checklist."
Although this workshop is offering a number of things presented in Norwood's previous speech, other issues are being introduced this year. As Black History Month comes to a close, BlackThink provides a final look at our nation and where it stands and whether it is, in fact, united or divided.
Political science professor Maurice Mangum said Norwood's presentation last year was important.
"It's a way to honor Black Heritage Month," Mangum said. "SIUE is a poorly diversified school. Perhaps this will help the campus understand that."
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