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These people, among many others, made great sacrifices so that we may afford the opportunities we presently have...
Throughout this past March up until now, I have been pondering many issues in Black America.  While there are many issues that I could have written about, why not address a topic that is avoided like the plague in the African-American community? 

I read an article the other week that raised the question of whether or not Black History Month has lost its luster.  The article basically said that, based on the importance (or lack thereof) the media placed on Black History Month leading up to and during the month of February, America has "moved on" from its harsh racial past and that the emphasis that Black History Month places on Black Civil Rights and the negative images and memories that it invokes is no longer needed in today's "post-racial" society.

I then proceeded to ask a few of my friends what they thought about Black History Month this year and a lot of them were upset that the month didn't get as much "shine" as it deserved.  When I asked them why they felt this way, they said "because White folks don't wanna know the truth about all that Black people did to get the country to where it is today."

But wait...do WE want to know the truth about Black History Month? How many of us know more about the Black struggle in America than just Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks on the bus? Who has read any of the great literary works of W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, or any of the many great minds of our past?

Black people love to talk about Civil Rights as if its a badge of honor we fight to protect daily, when, in reality, we know absolutely nothing about the struggle.  To be up in arms about the perceived lack of recognition and reverence for a month dedicated to the stuggles and achievements made by our predecessors without a single inclination to pick up a book or educate ourselves to gain a deeper understanding of those people or the social climate in which they fought is a complete show of ignorance, disrespect, and disregard for all that they stood for.

One thing about Black people is that we LOVE to meet...LOVE to discuss issues facing US.  In these discussions, gatherings, seminars, and meetings, we LOVE to refer to the past and what our pioneers did during their time.  The sad part is that if we were to go to college campuses and speak with leaders of prominent Black organizations (on my campus, that would be NAACP, BCPC, MAP, NPHC organizations, etc.), it is highly unlikely that most could tell you any more than surface-level information about those pioneers they LOVE to reference.

Take a moment to think about what this means.  Our pioneers' dedication to something greater for the future is the basis of what we do as human beings in today's world, especially as Black leaders in any capacity, on college campuses or in our careers.  Therefore, if we can't gain an understanding of the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF BLACK LEADERSHIP through the speeches, literary works, movements, demonstrations, and lives of those that laid the foundation for us, how can we TRULY be effective in our roles leading others?
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King hit the nail right on the head with this statement.  How dare we live our lives on the shoulders of these great men and women, yet never think to pay them the respect of educating ourselves about our past?  A widely-known adage states that one should only "speak on what they know."  If this holds true across all aspects of society, when it comes to Black History and the Black struggle for progress in America, a lot of us Black people should KEEP SILENT.
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Brian Alston, 21
Non-heterosexuality is nothing new. Like any other phenomenon that goes against the grain, many look down upon it and judge those who decide to practice and indulge in the lifestyle.  In the United States, it is fair to say that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and their allies are waging the most modern war against discrimination and inequality.  People of all races stand against non-heterosexuality because of homophobia or because the Bible says that non-heterosexuality is a sin. From where I stand, it seems that acceptance of non-heterosexuals is slowly growing.  Within the African-American community, however, I believe that’s a different story, especially where Black men are concerned.

Recently, an article surfaced from Vibe magazine called “The Mean Girls of Morehouse.”  It discusses the experiences of gender benders, “a subgroup of the gay community,” on the campus of Morehouse College.  Dubbed the Plastics, these flamboyant and eccentric men dress as women on a daily basis; this practice of cross-dressing enhances the men’s self-proclaimed and often self-made androgyny and is frequently the first step toward transitioning into women.  The term “the Plastics” originated in the 2004 film Mean Girls as the name of an exclusive clique of high school girls who thrived on spreading rumors and tongue-lashing anyone who decided to stand in the way of their popularity.

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Diamond Martin Poulin, 20
Morehouse College is considered the premier HBCU for young Black men.  Its pedigree for producing outstanding and influential men is what brought Diamond Martin Poulin, one of the Plastics, to the College in the first place.  He dreamed of the opportunity to walk, live and learn as a “Man of Morehouse” in order to go forth and change the world.  The taunting and ridicule of fellow students eventuated in Diamond’s transfer to American InterContinental University.  Not only did  students call him a “fagot” for his decision to wear women’s clothing, the College decided to announce an “appropriate attire policy” in response to the Plastics’ presence on campus that banned women’s clothes.  As “Renaissance Men,” the students were to dress as appropriate representatives of Morehouse College and the institution’s values.  This staunch “social conservatism” came as the last straw for Diamond and some of his friends.

In response to the media frenzy that came after the announcement of the dress code, Dr. William Bynum, Jr., vice president of Student Services, stated that the College respects the “identity and choices of all young men at Morehouse;” however, the attire of some young men did not fit into the dress standards established by the Morehouse leadership development model.  However, I tend to agree with Kevin Rome, Ph.D., the former vice president for Student Services at Morehouse College, who says, “The Morehouse Man is defined by his contributions to society, [not] the way he dresses or identifies.”  The quieter niche of Morehouse’s gay community often segregates itself from the more ostentatious men on campus in order to circumvent any backlash that may arise from criticism of the Plastics.
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Philip Hudson, 21
With all of that said, I say this: judgment of anyone based on lifestyle choices is unfair, discriminatory and wrong.  However, it is possible to remain to true to oneself and push the envelope of acceptance while living in a manner that supports the fulfillment of one’s dreams.  The dress code, for instance, was only valid and enforceable “on the Morehouse campus or at college-sponsored events.”  While on campus, dress accordingly.  When off-campus, dress as a woman.  I don’t think that Diamond fully recognized the power that he had on the Morehouse campus as an androgynous, gay man.  He could have stood as a voice for the underrepresented androgynous men to the heterosexual and gay communities of Morehouse, pushing them to understand that they should not be overlooked in the push for equal rights for everyone.

Fear of change and the rigidity of tradition stop much progress in this world.  Based on the quality of luminaries and visionaries that Morehouse College has produced in its 143 years of existence, it is more than fair to say the College has stood as a beacon of “radical change,” especially when it comes to facing injustices of all kinds.  For Morehouse College to stand as rigidly as it has against these young men, it seems quite contradictory to the inherent values that the institution tries to instill in its students.  I understand the preservation of values and character of the College; however, holding to such a stiff idea of physical appearance will make Morehouse miss a treasure trove of young men willing to embody those values and transfer them into the world as upstanding, influential men of society. --AG
Autriel Galloway is a Senior at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business. Ultimately, she plans to fuse her two passions-- writing and supporting the spiritual development of others--  to make this world greater than it is today. To learn more about Galloway, check out her website -- www.autrielayne.com.
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A friend of mine showed me this video, and I had to share it with you all.  While it is quite humorous, it most certainly is relatable in some way to both black men and women. 

What are your thoughts on the message relayed in this video? Is this a good representation of black dating & relationships today? Leave comments and share your opinions
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During Reconstruction, the black church was the center of the community, delivering messages of hope for a better future and boosting the morale for a people that had little to be happy about.  In the years of the civil rights struggle, we saw the church become more assertive about social and political injustices, becoming a force within the civil rights movement. 

In both eras, the church was, in many ways, the voice of the Black community.  Can this still be said today?  Many believe the church is fading as the cornerstone and voice of the community.  It has been said that the unity and collective identity that started in the Black church is not as strong as it once was. 


What must the Black Church do in order to regain its relevance in today's society? Share your comments below and engage in the discussion.
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Race relations have come a long way in the United States over the past few decades.  Monumental policy changes have opened many doors for African-Americans and minorities across the country.  Many of these opportunities for our generation were made possible by the efforts, and sometimes lives, of those that came before us.  Civil rights organizations were instrumental in creating change in the way minorities were treated by society and how we were governed by the American democracy.

One of those civil rights organizations at the forefront of change was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  Founded in 1909, the NAACP has been the most influential civil rights organizations in this country.  Since its inception, the organization has fought to protect the rights and civil liberties of African-Americans and other minorities.  Whenever racial issues have arisen, the NAACP has been viewed as the voice of the entire African-American community. The organization today has over 250,000 members in over 2,200 units across the United States. 

While the organization has opened many doors for minorities in the last century, its recent years have been met with a widespread skepticism concerning its future.  The question of whether the organization is needed after the election of President Barack Obama has been asked by many in the African-American community and several others. 

Local NAACP branches have suffered from stagnant leadership which, depending on who you ask, is a reflection of the organization's national leadership.  The overall age of the organization is increasing due to a lack of presence among youth and young adults.  While there are those that feel the organization should simply be put to rest, there are many that believe the NAACP's vision should change as the country has changed over the decade.

In my opinion, the NAACP should go back to the drawing board, internally and externally.  From within, it should re-define their purpose according to the issues of today's world, and this should start from the national leadership and trickle down.  The African-American and other minority communities are much more diverse within themselves than they were during the days of Jim Crow and earlier.  Therefore, the NAACP should diversify its efforts to accommodate a changed society.

The NAACP should also re-evaluate its leadership, from national to local executive boards.  A long-avoided issue in African-American leadership is the unwillingness of the previous generation to pass down the torch to the younger.  Whether this is a lack of mistrust or simply wanting to maintain their position within a circle of power and privilege, it is not advancing the situation of the African-American people.  If the leadership is too stagnant, it is time for members to demand fresh, new perspectives on how to effectively serve their communities and cultivate the next world leaders.

From an external aspect, the NAACP needs to diversify their voice in the eyes of the media.  The only people the general public sees in regards to issues that involve the NAACP is Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and they are not even the spokespeople for the organization.  While the message should be most important, the choice of messenger can also help or harm the impact of the organizations messages and initiatives.  This is why new faces must step to the forefront, preferably younger faces, to connect with the younger generation.

To conclude, there are many that still believe the organization has a rightful place in today's America.  The racial inequalities and institutional barriers that minorities are still faced with on a daily basis are well-documented, and the NAACP still fights the good fight for an even playing field for all minorities to prosper and grow as equals with our Caucasian counterparts.

I honestly believe the NAACP is well-aware of their current situation. They are aware of the fact that the foundation of their 101 year-old house is getting weaker by the moment. 

How they plan to renovate their house is anybody's guess.
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