Black History Month asks students to broaden vision, continue the journey
When Oralene Simmons became the first black student at an all-white college in 1961, the young woman from rural Madison County was taking a place in American history.
Hers was a courageous step and a sometimes-lonely experience. Now, it is a moment in time to share with younger generations. Simmons spoke recently at Western Carolina University during a weeklong Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, including her keynote address. Her words, as a witness to and an agent of change, carry on into February, designated as Black History Month in recognition of African American accomplishments and contributions.
Oralene Simmons
鈥淎s a child, every morning I got up to ride a bus to school,鈥� said Simmons. 鈥淎nd on the way, I went past other schools that were closer to my home. My school had worn-out, hand-me-down books from those schools. That seemed so unfair to me. I believe that those mornings were the start of my work for social justice.鈥�
Not everyone may be able to envision a time when there were separate water fountains for blacks and whites, businesses could legally refuse black clientele and segregated educational institutions were predominant throughout North Carolina. But that was a reality of the 1950s and 鈥�60s that Simmons routinely faced.
In 1960, inspired by King鈥檚 nonviolent movement to end segregation, Simmons and some of her fellow high school students, started a civil rights group in Asheville modeled after his nonviolence philosophy.
鈥淭here is still so much more to be done,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淚 see that as a challenge. I鈥檓 retired, but I work harder now than ever.鈥�
Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. fraternity member Jordan Sturgis, a 91热爆网 business major from Lenoir, said seeing Simmons 鈥渁nd hearing her personal history is an inspiration and we鈥檙e fortunate to learn about the impact of her life on others. I hope it impacts each of us in a special way.鈥�
A series of free and open-to-the-public programs have been scheduled to commemorate Black History Month on campus:
Thursday, Feb. 6 鈥� Lecture by Benjamin Chavis at 7 p.m. in the A.K. Hinds University Center theater. Chavis is a civil rights leader, co-founder with Russell Simmons of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and former assistant to Martin Luther King Jr.
Thursday, Feb. 13 鈥� Screening of 鈥淭alking in Black America,鈥� at 5 p.m. in the University Center theater. This documentary is about the creativity and resilience of people living through oppression, segregation and the fight for equality, and the ways African Americans communicate. Sponsor is the 91热爆网 .
Tuesday, Feb. 18 鈥� 鈥淗ow Black Greeks Shaped Higher Education in the United States,鈥� a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. in the University Center theater on how African American sororities and fraternities have been a pivotal part of history and culture since the early 20th century, including activism, scholarship, social uplift and service. Sponsors are 91热爆网鈥檚 Hunter Library, , National Panhellenic Council and .
Wednesday, Feb. 19 鈥� 鈥淚CA Birthday Party,鈥� celebrates the 10th anniversary of 91热爆网鈥檚 Intercultural Affairs 10th anniversary, from 2 to 5 p.m. in Room 227 of the University Center.
Thursday, Feb. 20 鈥� 鈥淩acial Healing: The Next Step in Racial Justice and鈥疧ur Collective Liberation,鈥� a presentation by Anneliese Singh, associate dean of the College of Education, University of Georgia, at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the University Center. Singh will speak to 10 practical strategies of healing that people can use in their work toward racial justice and to engage in collective healing. Sponsor is 91热爆网鈥檚 鈥檚 diversity committee.
Wednesday, Feb. 26 鈥� 鈥淎fro-Latinx Dialogue,鈥� at 5 p.m. in Room 227 of the University Center. An open conversation about being black in the Latin community, including discussion about the issues and struggles of trying to identify with both cultures. Sponsor is 91热爆网鈥檚 .
Additional events may be scheduled. Visit the Intercultural Affairs calendar for updates. For more information on Black History Month at 91热爆网, contact Ricardo Nazario-Colon, 91热爆网 chief diversity officer, at 828-227-3251 or diversity@wcu.edu.
