Office of Student Diversity Relations Sponsor BHM Events
By: Kristin Thomas
February marks the beginning of Black History Month across the United States. Texas Tech faculty, staff and students have several events planned in honor of the month.
Allen Sutton, the Assistant Director of the Office of Student Diversity Relations said they have several activities planned for students and staff that cater to a wide variety of interests. The first event kicked off Feb. 5 at noon in the Lubbock Room of the Student Union Building. Alwin Barr, professor of African American history, led a discussion over the history of African Americans on the South Plains.
The Tunnel of Oppression, a living art exhibit , will be hosted by University Student Housing on Feb. 6 and 7. The show will take place in the Red Raider Room of the Student Union Building. The Tunnel of Oppression event is a nationwide university event, but is interpreted differently at each location. This year, the residence halls and their community advisors will make 11 still-life art displays that are different interpretations of diverse social “isms” in society, such as racism, sexism, ageism, faithism and sizeism.
“Some displays will be dramatically interpreted and others will be poking fun at stereotypes in society,” said Sutton.
On Feb. 14 the Office of Diversity Relations and the Cross Cultural Advancement Center will sponsor Thinkfast, a “Jeopardy” type game show that will allow 15 to 250 teams the opportunity to compete to win a grand prize of $200. Each team will be given a pamphlet with the information surrounding the questions that will be asked.
Rounding out the Black History Month events is a seminar called “We’re Not All Athletes, Minority Professional Seminar.” The purpose of this seminar is to encourage minority students to seek better jobs. It will be a roundtable discussion and will offer programs for minority students to help get better careers.
“Most minority students think they can only be athletes or entertainers,” Sutton said. “We are trying to promote them to go into fields like law or go to medical school.”