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Reassessing Support for Black Communities During Black History Month

Black History Month at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) of higher education often presents a peculiar scenario. Custom Black History Month-themed graphics find their way into emails in contexts where discussions of race are seldom held. Website developers update university pages to showcase stories and images of Black staff, students, and faculty, reflecting a rush to demonstrate support for Black communities. However, such gestures frequently lack substance and authenticity—what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might refer to as “bad checks.”

In his iconic “I Have a Dream Speech,” Dr. King highlighted that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence should promise equal rights to all Americans. Yet, these promises have often fallen short for Black citizens, representing instead a “bad check” marked by “insufficient funds.” This analogy emphasizes the disconnection between the ideals inscribed in these foundational documents and the lived realities of Black individuals.

Institutional leaders are urged to refrain from issuing “bad checks” of support to their Black community members. While it is crucial for institutions to avoid token gestures during Black History Month, such temptations can increase significantly as the month approaches.

Black History Month serves as a vital time for reflection, education, and celebration of Black lives and histories. Yet, for some PWIs, it has become an occasion for superficial gestures, unplanned programming, and isolated events. Below are three types of “bad checks” for racial justice that institutions should strive to avoid during this significant month.

1. The Empty Assurance

Universities are adept at issuing statements of support. In the wake of racial incidents or student mobilization, leaders are quick to communicate, asserting, “We hear you, and we see you.” Yet, these affirmations often lack actionable plans addressing the underlying racial issues. Similarly, while commemorative statements during Black History Month can hold value, those from institutions that fail to engage with Black campus communities meaningfully throughout the year may come across as disingenuous.

Following the summer of 2020, numerous organizations pledged their commitment to racial justice and support for Black communities, yet many of these promises remain unfulfilled. Universities have also made similar commitments but often fail to follow through. For instance, Penn State recently announced the cancellation of a previously planned center for racial justice, exemplifying a “bad check” in their promises for racial equity. Reflecting on these unfulfilled commitments before celebrating Black History Month may offer universities a more authentic approach.

2. The Misleading Representation

Black students and community members are perceptive to how their universities portray diversity in media representations. As a former student and current professor, I often reflect on how universities often recycle photographs of Black graduates as if they represent current Black students, leading to what can be termed “diversity shots.” Such practices often misrepresent the actual student demographic, essentially issuing a bad check by falsely advertising diversity.

Black History Month should prompt institutional leaders to reassess their visual representation on websites and social media. Consider how a Black student in a university with a minimal Black population might interpret an influx of images featuring Black individuals during February. Thoughtful representation throughout the year would help mitigate the jarring effect of such visual displays during Black History Month.

3. The Isolated Office

Many institutions face an overarching issue of burnout, particularly among professionals dedicated to diversity efforts. The high turnover rates in diversity-related positions often stem from a lack of institutional support. Merely having an office dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion—or isolating such efforts to a single office—may serve as yet another bad check if not adequately supported.

While universities may point to cultural centers or diversity offices as evidence of support for Black communities, if these entities lack sufficient resources and backing, they become ineffective. I have witnessed numerous cultural centers grappling with staffing shortages and overwhelming workloads, striving to provide enriching experiences for Black students under less-than-ideal conditions.

Instead of relying on a single office to organize events for Black History Month, universities should commit to providing the necessary infrastructure and support for meaningful initiatives.

Ultimately, I am not arguing that universities should refrain from making statements or featuring images of Black students. Rather, such actions resonate far more powerfully when they are accompanied by substantial investments and institutionalized programs aimed at genuinely supporting Black communities.

Source
www.higheredjobs.com