Volume 2, Issue 3 (May 2008) of the Laney Defender, newsletter of the Black Student Union of Laney College.
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Soul & Unity Festival Page 7 ‘The Black Hour’ Radio Show Page 2 Fall 07 & Spring 08 BSU Highlights Page 8 Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival Page 4, 5 Black History Crossword Page 6 DEFENDER Volume II, Issue 3 Laney College Est. 2007 Oakland, California Spring 2008 BLACK CAUCUS CONFERENCE HELD AT EL CAMINO COLLEGE By Sista Andrea Spearman DEFENDER DEPUTY EDITOR T he Black Caucus of the California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) held its 10th An- nual Black Caucus Leadership Conference (ABCLC), “Sankofa: Honoring our Past, Cel- ebrating the Present, Building our Future,” February 15–16 at El Camino College. Friday’s activities were kicked off with Af- rican drumming and dance, followed by the opening session “Hip Hop Comes to School” by Bryant K. Smith. Black Caucus Secretary Reginald James deftly facilitated the “Harambee” workshop simultaneously in two separate rooms prior to the dinner speech by Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally at dinner. The night closed with the film ‘Sankofa.” Saturday morning began with the Soul- ful breakfast with a keynote address by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors’ Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith. After two morning education sessions by Lasana Hotep and Alonzo Jones, students attended an inspiring keynote address by Congress- woman Maxine Waters during lunch. Following three motivating afternoon education sessions, schools in attendance elected their representatives for the upcom- ing academic year. 2007–2008 CalSACC Black Caucus Executive Board with Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D–Los Angeles) Feb. 16, 2008. From left. Northern Region Chair Kathleen Madden (College of Alameda), Waters, Secretary Reginald James (Laney), President Marlene C. Hurd (Laney), Southern Region Chair Lisa Martin and Treasurer Charles Perkins (Berkeley City College). NEHASI LEE/HARAMBEE INSIDE THIS DEFENDER GROUP PHOTO OF BSU, Page 3.
Transcript
Soul & Unity FestivalPage 7
‘The Black Hour’ Radio ShowPage 2
Fall 07 & Spring 08 BSU Highlights
Page 8
Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival
Page 4, 5
Black History Crossword
Page 6
DEFENDER Volume II, Issue 3 Laney College Est. 2007 Oakland, California Spring 2008
BLACK CAUCUS CONFERENCE HELD AT EL CAMINO COLLEGE
By Sista Andrea SpearmanDEFENDER DEPUTY EDITOR
The Black Caucus of the California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) held its 10th An-
nual Black Caucus Leadership Conference (ABCLC), “Sankofa: Honoring our Past, Cel-ebrating the Present, Building our Future,” February 15–16 at El Camino College.
Friday’s activities were kicked off with Af-
rican drumming and dance, followed by the opening session “Hip Hop Comes to School” by Bryant K. Smith.
Black Caucus Secretary Reginald James deftly facilitated the “Harambee” workshop simultaneously in two separate rooms prior to the dinner speech by Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally at dinner. The night closed with the fi lm ‘Sankofa.”
Saturday morning began with the Soul-ful breakfast with a keynote address by the
California Community Colleges Board of Governors’ Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith. After two morning education sessions by Lasana Hotep and Alonzo Jones, students attended an inspiring keynote address by Congress-woman Maxine Waters during lunch.
Following three motivating afternoon education sessions, schools in attendance elected their representatives for the upcom-ing academic year.
2 / Defender LANEY BLACK STUDENT UNION Spring 2008
There is a running joke within the Black community about Black his-tory month that; again, we received
the short end of the stick since February usu-ally has only 28 days.
This is based on the assumption that black history month was given to us by some omnip-otent fi gure, known as the “man,” who handed out this menial token of recognition.
Some may fi nd some pride that we recieved an extra day thanks to leap year (and the man). But, Black History Month is more than just 28 or 29 days.
Black History Month has come far from its humble beginnings to become a time of cultural celebration, education and commu-nity service (as well as a magnet for token-corporate sponsorship opportunities).
Originally started as “Negro History Week” in 1926, Harvard educated scholar, Carter G. Woodson, hoped to eliminate prejudi-cial segregation and racism by educating whites with a more accurate depiction of black people.
The Defender is the monthly newsletter of the Laney Black Student Union (BSU).
We want for writers, photographers and edi-tors who want to sharpen their skills while telling the people the real deal.
Contribute: We accept poetry, articles and letters to the editor. Please limit letters to 150 words. Please email your submissions to [email protected] or visit Myspace.com/LaneyBSU for more information..
DEFENDER MONTH, Page 8
By Brother Reggie
‘ The Black HourThe Black HourT ’he Black Hour’he Black HourLaneyBSUmembersDeborahJones (left)discussesBlackmale/femalerelationshipswithPresi-dentL.DaviswhileAndreaSpearmanlistensduringthefirstepisodeof‘TheBlackHour.’
Reginald James/DEFENDER
By Sista Marlene C. HurdDEFENDER NEWS EDITOR
The word ‘Black’ is often used fi guratively to describe negative occurences–“Black Tuesday” or the
“Black Plaque” but a few Laney students are redefi ning “Blackness.”The Black Hour is an internet radio show,
organized by members of the Laney Black Student Union (BSU), airing online at 9th Floor Radio through Peralta TV. The Black Hour sheds light on the voices
of Laney’s Black students, taking them from the abyss of silence to the glow of empowerment. Weaving lively student-driven
discussions with live music, The Black Hour airs students issues and topics relevant to the community in fi rst person. The show features discussions led by
students on topics ranging from the Presidential Elections to Black male and female relationships.The Black Hour can be heard online at
www.9thfl oorradio.com. For more info about the Laney BSU or The Black Hour, to submit show topics or to be a guest on the show, email [email protected] visit www.myspace.com/laneybsu.
BSU members form radio show to air issues
‘SAY IT LOUD’
Spring 2008 LANEY BLACK STUDENT UNION Defender / 3
By Brother ReggieDEFENDER EDITOR
Alameda County has been under a ‘state of emergency’ since 1998 due to the rapidly increasing number of people becoming in-fected with HIV/AIDS.
Part of the diffi culty in preventing the spread of the disease is the ignorance sur-rounding testing opportunities and the nega-tive stigma about being screened.
In the interest of the health and well being
of students, the Laney Black Student Union organized free and confi dential HIV/AIDS screening Nov. 14 on the fourth fl oor of the Student Center.
“The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the biological warfare being waged against our people,” said BSU Vice-President An-drea Spearman.
“According to statistics, Alameda County is one of the leading areas for HIV/AIDS, especially for women,” said Laney African American Studies Professor Dr. Lawrence Vanhook, “and we thought it would be good to have our men and women take control of their own futures.”
While the organizers originally planned to have 250 students screened, many who registered were unable to be tested as there were not enough supplies and time to test all of those present.
BSU organizes HIV/AIDS rapid testingOver 150 Laney students take three-minute cotton swab test
‘The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of
the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the biological warare being waged against our people.’
BSU VP ANDREA SPEARMAN
Laney BSU at Black Caucus Conference
XXXXXSpring 2008 REST IN POWER MALCOLM X Defender / 54 / Defender REST IN POWER MALCOLM X Spring 2008
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXmalcolm x
8th Annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival May 17 at San Antonio Park in East Oakland. Photos: (1) Blu Pride of Club Knowledge, (2) BSU Treasurer Ariana Mitchell, (3) African American Studies Professor Nehanda Imara, (4) Oakland Nation of Islam Minister Keith Muhammad, journalist Davey D, and POCC Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., (5) Nu Dekades: K.E.V., Ryan Nicole, and Midhnight Sunshine. (6) Saleem Shakir of Leadership Excellence, Black Caucus of CalSACC Treasurer Charles Perkins, and Defender Editor Brother Reggie, (7) BSU Historian Lamar Caldwell and Minister of Culture President L. DavisPhotos and Layout by Reginald
“Brother Reggie” James
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‘Education is the passport to the future.’
‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.’
A West African “djembe,” hand drum was reported stolen at 4:41 p.m. Wed. Jan. 23 from room 403 in the Laney Student Center.
The BSU member fi rst noticed the drum was missing on the fi rst day of the spring se-mester, but assumed that someone may have borrowed the drum. He late contacted Peralta Police Services to report the drum stolen.
The wooden drum is red with red/black symbols on the sides. The drum was valued at $140, but has cultural, sentimental value.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the drum are asked to contact the Laney BSU at [email protected].
BSU MEETINGSEvery Monday
12:30 PM – 2 PMStudent Center ‘Liberty
Hall’ Room 403510-464-3531
West African drum stolen from BSU room
“Over 100 students actually took the test but over 200 registered to be screened,” said Vanhook. “There was an underestimation. Our volunteers from Highland had to go back to get more supplies and some students left without being tested.”
Still, Student Trustee Marlene Hurd was pleased to see that students had an opportu-nity to be screened on the Peralta District’s fl agship campus.
It is important that students have access to health services at Laney,” said Hurd. “They didn’t have to travel and it was free.”
BSU Historian Lamar Caldwell said “We want to make community and sexual health popular here in Oakland.”
The HIV/AIDS testing was sponsored by Laney African American Studies, Alameda County Medical Services, Associated Stu-dents of Laney College, Laney Health Servic-es and Peralta College’s Student Trustees.
TESTING, Continued from page 3.
HIV/AIDS testing
LANEY BSU NEEDS YOU!
Answers to February Crossword Puzzle
Spring 2008 LANEY BLACK STUDENT UNION Defender/ 7
Myspace.com/HollaBackESA
May 29 July 31 October 30
Eastside Arts Alliance Presents
Eastside Cultural Center2277 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94606
Holla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackHolla BackOpen Mic SeriesEvery Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.Every Thursday at 8 P.M.1st Thursdays
Giggles
Javier and Colored Ink
3rd ThursdaysGuest Hosts
President L. Davis
and...
‘Soul & Unity Festival’ held at Laney LaneyBSUmember“QueenSade”demonstratesCongolesedancingduringaperformance
Fall ‘07 BSU ReorganizedAfter being inactive since 2001, the Laney Black Student Union was rechartered.
Peralta African and Black Student Alliance PotluckBSU organized and hosted a potluck with students from the BSUs at Berkeley City College and Merritt College.
Jena 6 RallyBSU raised awareness to the plight of the ‘Jena 6’ and other political prisoners in America.
Day of AtonementBSU sponsored Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan’s live telecast honoring the 12th Anniversary of the Million Man March.
Ethnic Studies RallyBSU rallied to raise awareness to the lack of full-time faculty for Laney African American Studies and the need for students to organize to maintain the program.
HIV/AIDS TestingBSU organized free HIV/AIDS screening for 150 students.
Soul CinemasBSU hosted discussion of the film ‘Tales from the Hood.’
8 / Defender LANEY BLACK STUDENT UNION Spring 2008
“DEFENDER”
1924-2005
‘Anti-Black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are
equivalent to the same thing–anti-humanism.’
Shirley Chisholm
10ReasonstoJointheBSU
• Black is beautiful!• Get help graduating and transferring• Peer support system• Make a difference in your community• Network with other Black students• Learn about your beautiful history• Develop your organizing skills• Hands-on experience in your major/field• Discover resources for Black students
Spring ‘08 Say it Loud Fashion ShowBrought fourth annual ‘Say it Loud’ 70s fashion show to Laney Theatre. Art Exhibit & RececeptionCo-–sponsored art gallery reception.
Annual Black Caucus Leadership ConferenceLaney BSU members participated in Black Caucus of CalSACC’s 10th An-nual Leadership Conference in LA.
Adam David Miller Co–sponsored author Adam David Miller memoir reading with library.
‘The Black Hour’Started internet radio show for Laney BSU members to discuss issues and spark intellectual dialogue and debate.
07–08 HIGHLIGHTS
Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915, to train black historians, se-lected the second week of February in honor of Frederick Douglas’ birthday.
Soon after, Woodson was overwhelmed with curriculum requests. Woodson is often called the “father of black history month,” and when it became nationally recognized in 1976, it became his legacy.
There are still many inequities in our so-ciety today which stem from the unequal founding of this country.
Malcolm X said, “Of all our studies, his-tory is best qualified to reward our research.” Black history is about more than the past; it is about present day and the future which we create.
Celebrate Black History Month by learn-ing your history. Everyone should learn more about black history, not just black people. People who have recently come to this coun-try should learn about the civil rights move-ment and how blacks advocated for the rights they enjoy today.
Black history month isn’t just about educa-tion; it is about action. Get involved on your campus, your community. By the way, it’s called “Black Liberation Month” at Laney.
Reginald “Brother Reggie” James is Defender Editor. Email him at [email protected].
*Parts of this column were originally published published in the Laney Tower in Spring 2006.
Black History Month has come far from its humble beginnings to be come a
time for community service, cultural and historical
