Black History Month lacks coverage

Dear Editors,

I’m writing this letter in regards to the February 12, 2004 issue of the Weather Vane. It came to my attention that none of the African American History Month Activities were covered in an article in that issue. On the back page however, there were 2 pictures and a description from the fashion show. Also, throughout Martin Luther King week, there was no coverage of the many events that went on. Just a recap of the events from the African American History Month kick-off weekend: on Friday Feb. 6th, there was a Cultural Fashion and Talent Show right here on EMU’s campus (Lehman Auditorium) that was put together by the Black Student Union, which, by the way, is one of the most active clubs on campus. There were many different performances from EMU students, JMU students and the surrounding community. Marymount University from Tarrytown, NY was also our special guest for the evening and put on quite a few performances. The Fashion Show was a HUGE success and attracted more than 200 people. This was something that was new to EMU’s campus. On Saturday, Feb. 7, there was a Jazz semi-formal in the campus center in honor of the African American History month theme Music of the Soul: An African American Journey. On Sunday, there were over 300 people in Martin Chapel celebrating the 4th Annual Gospel Extravaganza. This attracted MANY different choirs from as far as New York, Staunton, etc. So many new faces were on campus that weekend and I guarantee you that almost _ of those people that came had never heard about EMU before. This was a chance to get new people on Campus and we used this opportunity to inform people of all of the academic programs which EMU has to offer.

The weekend was a great success and the fact that there was no coverage before or after in our own school’s paper was a great disappointment. Moreover, this month, African American History, is a nationally recognized month. As developing journalists, I would think that a letter such as this would not have to be written as you would already take the initiative to give coverage and exposure. All of these events that the Multicultural Services office and the student organizations advised by this office fulfill and exceed EMU’s vision to celebrate and increase diversity. We preach about diversity so much but when people step up and take that chance and bring diversity to the campus, their hard work is hardly recognized. I spoke with one of the editors about this issue and was told that ‘the back page is like a second front page’. It is time that diversity stop taking the back page and students of color treated as second-class at EMU.

With this, I ask that the Weather Vane take more steps in finding out what goes on around campus especially when it involves nationally celebrated cultures, and make them known, especially when member of your own community put so much hard work into trying to bring expressions of their background to share with the campus.

I can be contacted at nwankwoo@emu.edu. For more information about other African American History Month events, please visit http://www.emu.edu/studentlife/multicultural/african-american-month/.