 "Photo: Black Studies Department? by Alan Dovell and Ben Exler / The Toweright")
Following extensive research and backing from students groups, the Student Government Association has been presented with a resolution for a black studies department on campus.
Following the presentation of the legislation at last Tuesday’s SGA meeting, the resolution is going through committees.
This Tuesday will mark the start of the resolution as unofficial new business, according to SGA president Jon Graf.
“It is a very long document, and the way it’s looking is to take it in the direction of making it longer and more detailed,” Graf said.
“After looking at it in committees it can be officially discussed on Tuesday.”
SGA senator Jessica Dickerson initially presented the resolution, but the black student Union played a key part in the forming of this legislation.
“I definitely helped write it, the BSU is the organization that is putting it through,” president of BSU, Deverick Murray, said.
According to Graf, the BSU leadership is where the resolution originated.
“They are looking for the University to commit to have a black studies department… the goal is the commitment from the University to make the department in the next five years,” Graf said.
President Robert Caret emphasized the importance of having conversations about these matters and allowing all parties to be aware of what is trying to be accomplished.
“Is it a monument or is it a working department? Most students including African-American students don’t major in black studies, they minor in it… If there is enough demand… take it through the channels,” Caret said.
“There has to be enough need, you don’t want to just do it to do it.”
Caret said there is already a strong minor, so it may be more plausible to strengthen that instead.
According to Murray, he doesn’t want anyone to “water this down,” and is serious about the pursuit of a Black Studies department.
“I don’t want it to be for show, I want everyone helping with it to be all the people that really want to help it,” Murray said.
Caret said that the students should go talk to the chair or talk to a dean.
He describes that method as the “more healthy way to do it.”
“We’re open to the idea, but you have to prove that it’s a workable idea,” Caret said.
Graf describes the resolution as essential, stating it won’t be able to sustain itself unless there is a demand.
“Right now we need it and we have students that want it now. That is something the University should definitely invest in,” Graf said.
According to Murray, they want to give African-Americans and others a chance to learn about black culture.
“You come to the University and you take your first history class and it’s on European history. Well, what if you’re not European,” Murray said.
“This [black studies department] would galvanize people to learn about their own culture.”
According to Dickerson, it is something that has been talked about for a long time.
After extensive research, it’s time to start the action.
“It’s a lengthy process; I don’t think BSU expects that we’ll be able to take these courses just like that,” Murray said.
“But we do expect… that it’s going to be something real for our younger brothers and our younger sisters and the young Towson tigers.”
The SGA is working to make this resolution the best possible, according to Graf.
“We’re looking at exactly how we want to present it to the administration and the senate to be voted on,” Dickerson said.
--Daniel Gross contributed to this article.
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Blacks have it far better in America than in any country in Africa. You have no right to make demands.. American Indians maybe. You, no.
And as far as the lack of fathers in our community that has absolutely NOTHING to do with me wanting to learn about my culture. All black people don't grow up without a father, and those that do aren’t any less of a human being because of it. I didn't and as much as I would love to see a father in every home there is nothing that I can do about it.
And we aren't asking for a handout we're asking for a chance to learn about our history and if you don't want your money to go towards African-American history stop paying your taxes you’re going to have to get over that. Because my taxes support a multitude of things that I have no interest in but you don’t hear me whining about it.
Oh and God forbid this campus become less than 50% white, because we would hate for you to feel like the quality of your education will be compromised (which is so unbelievably racist of you to say). What is it about African Americans that scares you so much? Are you afraid that we will riot if we outnumbered you? The majority of African-Americans that you meet are not worried about u, and don’t set out to rob or mug you. So please stop thinking that the world revolves around you because it doesn’t.