Seminar celebrates bI~s~1 hi~!PEY month
Human Equality Club President addresses Issues needing change by Kali Tupper Neirs Editor
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nding raci s m. sex ism . homophobia. and disrespect were a few of the many issues di sc ussed at a Black History Awareness Seminar. The even t was sponsored by the Hu man Equality Club in recognition of Black Hi sto ry Month Feb. 28. T he seminar, held in the SUB, was hosted by Donovan Arnold. vice president o f the human equality club. Mike Bundy, history instructor, opened the semmar by discussing black history in America. B.J . Johnson. pres ident of the Hu man Equality Club, spoke about the work he believed America still has to do. "( America) is facing social problems that should be gone:· Johnson said. He said that the many people are s till homo phobic, women are still facing sexism. the disabled are still disrespected and people are still dealing with racism. He commended all the people who have faced adversity after going public at the cost of being ridiculed, beaten and even killed. Johnson said they have a right to be whomever they want.
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"That's courage I wish I hact:· Johnson said. He said that people need to be open and acknowledge the::.e social problems. Although easier sai d than done. according to Johnson. he asked that people try to understand and end these tireso me . century o ld issues. Johnson said he was proud to be an American and thanked N IC for creating an environment where students can stand up and say what th ey want. "(It's) a big road ahead," Johnson sa id , "We need lo deal with it.,. In c los ing. J o hnson thanked the many who photo by Lucas Romano died in this country for B.J. Johnson, left, president of the Human Equality Club, talks freedom. with Parley Estes after the Black History Awareness Seminar. "Freed om h as been paid for, lets treat it like that.'' giving a literary tes t to three Stewart asked the questions. One Johnson said. ASNIC members. The literary test s uc h question wa ·' if the Tony Steward. political science was given to African Americans preside nt is impeac hed, is he instructor. asked that we rid in order for them 10 vote and in immediately removed and when a ourselves of bigotry. order to pass, every question had person is impeached, how many He said that many things in the to be answered correctly. votes convict him and what is the past are not to be proud of. The test was written by the econd vote for?" The ASNIC " It's evil Lo treat human beings in such a way," Steward said. By Alabama State Coun and in 1965, members didn't pass. T he seminar drew more than sayi ng we are superior to o ther it was aboli she d . The test was people is a sin and djscrimination, given to some ASNTC members in 40 people and helped celebrate order to show how difficult it was and educate about a n important according to Stewart. Stewart closed the seminar by to pass and how unfair the test was. pan of American history .