 by
Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
opens “Black History Month” with a forum titled
“The N word,” Feb. 9.
“This will enlighten their views on racism and the
reason behind words that are spoken,” Tenina W. Stallings,
President of the NAACP said.
The Black Student Association is co-sponsoring the event.
“A lot of times people use the n-word and they don’t
know the context of it or the history behind it,” BSA
member Jamarl D. Clark said. “Even as African-Americans
we use it towards each other.”
Clark said BSA wanted to get down to the basics of the word,
not just in the context of one race calling another race
the n-word.
“It’s more of, what does this word mean, what
is the essence, what’s the background of the word,”
Clark said.
“The n-word is a very controversial word and so I feel
that anyone of all races should come so they can put their
input in and learn more about it,” BSA Advisory Board
member Shantae N. Jones said.
The forum will be held in Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of
Plemmons Student Union at 6 p.m., and is open for anybody
who wants to attend and will be open for discussion, BSA
Advisory Board member Erica M. Copeland said.
BSA is also sponsoring a blood drive on Feb. 25 through the
American Red Cross in the student union.
“The blood drive is one of the biggest things that
BSA does as a service project” Clark said.
Clark said everybody should come because participants save
save lives and give back to others.
“This is a method for people to get involved at Appalachian,”
Clark said.
February is known as “Black History Month,” but
BSA will hold a “Black History Spring” instead.
“On April 2 we’re having a Black History Gala,”
Copeland said.
The gala will be BSA’s big finale event for the year,
Copeland said.
“Our theme is ‘Neo-Underground railroad: Will
you be a Conductor?’,” Clark said. “Basically
the mission is bringing together all the African-American
students and the black Alumni’s, but not only just
doing that, just bringing everyone together as a whole. So
it’s not really a black or white event or anything,
it’s more of us embracing the past and trying to come
up with a solution for the future,” Clark said.
For those that want to get involved, BSA meets every Monday
at 6 p.m. in the Attic Window room of the student union,
Copeland said.
By joining BSA, students will be able to speak out on what
is going on in their personal life or what is going on around
campus, Clark said.
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