HOME OPINION University history provides another reason to celebrate Black History Month

University history provides another reason to celebrate Black History Month

Written by The Shorthorn editorial board

Thursday, 04 February 2010 04:21 PM

It’s Black History Month, but everyone can use this time to do some reflection on UTA’s diverse culture. Black history comprises a myriad of subjects, but one of the more universal lessons is the civil rights movement. Throughout the month of February, watch the TV specials about Black History Month, read the articles in various media, but also keep in mind that this month can apply to everyone. The movement was the first in a liberating chain of events that helped bring acceptance and understanding for all ethnic groups and genders. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, expressed the desire for all races to have equal footing, even saying, “We cannot walk alone.” This is a mandate our university seems to embody. We have a diverse student population, all tied together under the motto “Be a Maverick.” Enrollment has changed over the years. Fall enrollment numbers indicate that whites make up about 47 percent of the total student population. If you add up all the other ethnic groups, they make a majority. This is something the UT-Austin cannot boast. The school reported a 53.5 percent white undergraduate population in fall 2009. The black population was about 4.9 percent. The University of North Texas reported that white students totaled about 62 percent of the student population in fall 2008. UTA wasn’t always as diverse. From 1951 to 1971, the mascot was the Rebel. The Confederate battle flag flew near the University Center. It was present elsewhere, on uniforms and in courts. The fight song was “Dixie,” according to UTA Magazine archives. The UC’s upstairs meeting rooms were named after Confederate heroes. Homecoming Week was known as Old South Week. Some campus groups even held mock slave auctions during the week, according to The Shorthorn archives. The university didn’t open its enrollment to black students until 1961. Afterward, some students tried to abolish the theme but were struck down. The UT System finally stepped in Jan. 1971 and abolished the theme. But that was then; this is now. We’ve come a long way, and the enrollment numbers prove it. Still, even though blacks were the target of prejudice, imagine how other ethnic groups had to feel on campus. In a prejudicial environment, no one wins. Black students fought for the right to be free of prejudice, and now we have one of the most diverse student bodies in Texas. Remember, Black History Month is about something different for everyone, but its lessons can apply to every race, nationality, gender or creed. Just keep in mind, even if you’re not black, this month means something to you. Learn from it. -The Shorthorn editorial board consists of editor-in-cheif Mark Bauer, opinion editor Ali Amir Mustansir, news editor Dustin Dangli, design editor Marissa Hall and Scene editor Jason Boyd Archived Stories Spirit of rebellion - Debate on Confederate themes recalls universitie's 'Rebel' history March 8, 2010 Views: 544 | E-mail   Be first to comment this article Only registered users can write comments. Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com All right reserved

Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 February 2010 08:27 AM )

 

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