By neglecting education, some members of the black community are aiding in their own oppression, sociology professor Kalvin DaRonne Harvell said Thursday.
Harvell’s assessment set the tone for the first day of a three-day Black Studies Graduate Student Symposium held at Kellogg Center. The conference, organized by MSU’s African American and African studies Sankofa Association, will gauge the progress of MSU’s African American and African studies program and discuss topics impacting the black community.
Harvell, who teaches sociology at Henry Ford Community College, in Dearborn, began the conference with a speech about his goals for black students to pursue higher education and stay connected with their history.
“African Americans remain one of few groups in the United States who don’t honor their own traditions and culture,” Harvell said.
“We must first rescue our culture by becoming diligent students. Diligent study becomes a key component in carrying out this monumental task.”
Ashley Khlaif, secretary of Sankofa Association, said it is important to explore the commitment to scholarship and activism of MSU’s African American and African studies program.
“We are bringing academics, community members, policy-makers and pastors together to assess the state of the black studies program,” she said.
Although the symposium is set up similarly to previous conferences, the program is more localized this year, said Tracy Robison, president of Sankofa Association.
“We just tried to draw on the expertise and knowledge here at MSU, especially graduate students and faculty members,” she said. “Last year, we incorporated more presenters from around the United States.”
Khlaif said conferences such as the symposium are important to students pursuing African American and African studies and the black community at large.
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