UW Black Studies Center hosting Black History Month events
A slate of virtual events are highlighting African American history, diving into topics as diverse as voter suppression and representation in sports and film.
The University of Wyoming’s Black Studies Center is hosting virtual forums throughout Black History Month, offering opportunities to reflect on the history, triumphs and struggles of African Americans while taking a critical look at recent events and ongoing challenges.
Many of the events explore that history through what is known as the “the Negro Question.” Black Studies Center Director Fredrick Douglass Dixon said the “question” is a position advocated since the 1800s that asks “what should be done with the presence of the troublesome Negro for maximum exploitation?”
“The Negro question remains very esoteric within the mainstream historical narrative,” Dixon said. “But due to its fluidity and importance should be discussed as an avenue to give a critique of white supremacy.”
The events kicked off in January, with discussions such as “Reframing Black History Month” and “American Exceptionalism and the Negro Question.”
All events are virtual and hosted by one moderator and several experts. Some of those hosts include UW Ph.D. student Esther Adeyemo, Texas A&M Ph.D. student Timberly Vogel, and Dixon.
The first event in February — the Student Research Conference — will take place Friday, kicking off at 9 a.m.
“The student research conference represents the devotion of the UW Black Studies Center to introducing undergraduate students to intellectual inquiry and providing platforms for students to present their present research projects,” Dixon said.
The month continues with discussions about voter suppression, sports and cinema — topics that reach back through time but remain relevant today. “Cinematic Realism and the Negro Question,” an event scheduled for Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., will examine the film “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The film, directed by Shaka King, depicts the real-life betrayal of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and his assassination by the FBI.
“We will provide critical clips from the movie to enhance the discussion,” Dixon said. “Projects like this capture a critical mass of individuals that did not learn about certain historic figures, events, and paradigms in their K-12 education experience. The problematic truth reveals that Hollywood tells stories to whitewash the accurate accomplishments of groups and individuals.”
The month caps off with discussion of even more recent history: the murder of 17-year-old LaQuan McDonald at the hands of a Chicago Police officer in 2014. Police initially lied about the events surrounding LaQuan’s death; when a court ordered relevant dash cam footage be unsealed months later, it showed clearly that LaQuan had been murdered. The officer was convicted and the city settled with the family.
“The systemic prowess of privilege and superiority continues to gather momentum at school board meetings, in legislative arguments, and support for daily microaggressions,” Dixon said. “It’s never difficult to expose and discuss the complexities of racism for the most marginalized populations.”
The Black Studies Center knows this all too well. A virtual event hosted during Black History Month last year was Zoom-bombed with images of racist violence and pornographic videos.
“Since the Zoom bombing, we have taken necessary precautions to lessen the likelihood of another incident,” Dixon said. “But, if people want to disrupt our events, I'm sure they could and perhaps will.”
The attack clearly demonstrated the importance of Black History Month, Dixon said.
“Every event we create and implement, we continue to prove the worth of a very skilled Black Studies Center with a vision that uses traditional and non-normative opportunities to democratize higher education,” he said. “We believe that it's our indispensable duty to use a challenging framework to consistently challenge the mainstream historical narrative.”
All events use this Zoom link.
Black History Month 2022 Events
Friday, Feb. 4
“BHM Student Research Conference”
Time: 9 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 7
“The Negro Question and Voter Suppression”
Time: 6 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 14
“The Negro Question and the Controversy Surrounding the Black Quarterback”
Time: 6 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 21
“Cinematic Realism and the Negro Question: Judas and the Black Messiah”
Time: 6 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 28
“The Negro Question and the Assassination of LaQuan McDonald”
Time: 6 p.m.