Amarillo College's News Source Since 1930 acranger.com
Volume 91, Issue 8
February 25, 2021
According to a blog post written by Thea Fraser, the colors of Black History Month have symbolic meanings behind them. Black represents melanin and shared identity. Yellow symbolizes the sun and prosperity. Green represents mother nature and lastly, red stands for blood and history.
AC fights racism, honors contributions By NOAH DUBOIS and KENNEDY ROYAL Staff Reporters
Amarillo College has recognized Black History Month, while increasing efforts to combat racism. Black History Month, celebrated annually throughout the month of February, recognizes and reflects on the role of African Americans in United States history. “It is a celebration. A celebration of triumph. It is a time to recognize the beauty that African Americans have brought to the world,” Breanna Gordo, a business administration major, said. As part of Black History Month, Melodie Graves, the AC diversity chair, associate director of advising and community activist, gave two presentations focused on how people from underrepresented groups can overcome obstacles. Graves, the second vice president of the Amarillo NAACP chapter, delivered a TED Talk at Texas State University Feb. 13 and spoke at the West Texas A&M University Black Women’s Association Feb. 17. While AC’s traditional Black History events were canceled due to the pandemic, the college’s students and staff acknowledged the month’s importance. “Black History Month means recognizing the past and making a stand to better the future,”
Tong Duang, a general studies major, said. AC professors are also incorporated Black history in their classes. “Understanding Black history is so important for understanding social issues today,” Dr. Eric Fauss, a history professor, said. As the college celebrated Black History Month, the college’s newly-formed anti-racism team is seeking to teach the staff how to engage in difficult conversations about race and to evaluate policies and procedures that reflect an actively inclusive environment. “Everything from hiring practices, to promotions, to student life. We want to make sure that those things are equitable for everyone,” said William Ratliff, the AC training and internal communications manager. One issue the team is addressing is the need to boost the diversity of AC faculty and staff. “We’re doing a really good job at closing equity gaps for student achievement, but we’re really behind in our hiring process,” Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, said. Lowery-Hart noted the importance of increasing the diversity of the college’s employees to better reflect the diversity of the student body and allow for active inclusion. Many AC student say dealing with racism is a reality for them. Joshua Kaentong, a business major, said that
throughout his life, he learned to adapt to different social groups in order to survive. “You really have to get used to racism because if you don’t you’re just going to feel that power they take from you,” he said. Devin Lethridge, on the other hand, said he refuses to normalize racism. The dental hygiene major said he is trying to overcome the habit of code switching, which is when someone changes the way they talk to fit in with another culture or race. Lethridge said code switching “is almost like a survival mask for Black people.” He explained code switching as if it’s another personality that a Black person can switch to depending on the social situation. “This is taught to us in order to survive,” he said. Code switching is something Lethridge said he has done throughout his life in order to adapt. As a 30-year-old disabled vet and a college freshman, he feared that starting school at AC this year would force him to return to code switching. To his surprise Letheridge said his fears were unfounded. “Personally my experience at AC has been amazing,” he said. “It’s been great. For the first time I have a voice.” Lethridge paused, his voice cracking, and then he started crying. “Sorry, It’s a bit emotional for me... I’m a 30-year-old man, and I finally have a voice.”
Bond brings future updates
Student Life, art department to relocate By RAYGAN LOPEZ Page Editor
New updates and upgrades will be coming to Amarillo College’s Washington Street Campus soon, thanks to the $90 million bond approved by voters in 2019. The construction project will last about five years with the completion projected in 2025, said Danny Smith, Master Plan program manager. Renovations will be made to Russell Hall, the student services area and Carter Fitness Center. On all campuses disability accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a priority, Smith said.
“Walking, talking and seeing are a gift. We don’t know what it’s like not to have it. So we need to take care of other people and make their life as easy as possible,” Smith said. Restroom renovations will play a big role in improving all campuses’ ADA compliance, giving students in wheelchairs at least five feet distance in restrooms in order to allow them to make a complete turnaround. With construction comes discomfort, Smith said, but not having many students currently on campus due to COVID-19 will make the construction process easier. The loss of parking might become a separate issue when the project begins, he added. The construction projects
will affect many students, particularly art majors. The art department will be moved to the basement of the College Union Building. “The art department needs a good amount of space for supply storage and also for students to spread out their supplies,” Christi Dawson, an art major said. “I wasn’t convinced initially that the location chosen was enough because of the walls in place as they are now. It doesn’t look nearly the size of our space in Russell Hall.” The art department will be taking Student Life’s current location. Russell Hall will then become the Student Services’ building. Renovations on Russell Hall will begin around
August or September or possibly sooner, Smith said. Student Life will then be moved to the first floor of the Student Services building. “Currently in the basement, it’s hard for students to come down here and feel connected to what we have to offer,” Amber Hamilton, Student Life director said. “By bringing it to the same level as everything else, it’ll make the importance and value equal to everything else the college has to offer. Student Life will become a part of the full atmosphere of the student experience at AC. We hope that the new Student Life location will attract both students and faculty and grow interests in student organizations on campus.”
Budget shortfall By SUMMER TESSNEER Staff Reporter
Amarillo College is facing a new challenge as it responds to lower numbers in enrollment and a potential decrease in state funding. Jeanette Nelson, the budget manager for AC, said these events could mean a possible $1.5 million shortfall. The budgeting process began in January. “It’s a very team-oriented project,” Nelson said. “Everybody’s involved. Each department, each chair, each dean, up to the cabinet-level and also the regents who are all involved in the process.” See BUDGET, page 3