Building Traditions: Recognizing Black History Month

by Hannah Gruber '10
Issue 16 | Spring 2009

Since 1926, Black History Month has recognized African Americans who have changed the world. Over the last few years, Bethel has celebrated the month with a specific focus. This year’s theme, “The Journey Continues: The African/African-American Diaspora in Literature,” was an endeavor to raise awareness in the Bethel community as to how African Americans have contributed to literature throughout the world.

Pamela Fields, a seminary student and administrative assistant for the Bethel Foundation, has coordinated Black History Month the last two years with a vision to involve students and employees in all schools of Bethel University in the celebration. “It’s my hope to help bridge the gaps of the different arms at Bethel, encouraging everyone to work together,” Fields said.

One of Fields’ goals for this year was to make the events meaningful for all students and employees. Events included a lecture series at the seminary, a local writers gathering, coffeehouses, and guest speakers John Perkins and Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Perkins, president of the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development, spoke in chapel on February 9. As an author, international speaker, and teacher on issues of racial reconciliation, leadership, and community development, Perkins is one of the resonant voices to emerge from the civil rights movement. He received the 2008 Jordon Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, whose previous winners include Billy Graham and J.I. Packer.

In his chapel address, Perkins issued a passionate challenge to his audience. “We built a great nation, but now we are in a crisis,” Perkins said. “We have the opportunity to make the Founding Fathers’ dream a reality and to make the church reflect the kingdom of God by breaking racial and social barriers.”

Author Jewell Parker Rhodes spoke at chapel February 16. She used her theatrical and literary voice to bring history to life, opening chapel by reading an excerpt from her book, Magic City, which paints a picture of the 1920s when the National Guard confronted a small group of black men who were defending the town that came to be known as “Black Wall Street.” Reading the thoughts of a main character, Rhodes captured the rich history from an African American’s perspective, transporting the audience back 80 years.

“Though bad things happen, through our own faith and our will we can change our destiny,” Rhodes said. She also resonated with Perkins’ message that youth are those who are making great changes in the country.

“America has changed so greatly from the 1920s, and the youth has been a part of that change. People are open to people of all kinds and children are growing up differently, and that is impacting America,” Rhodes said.

While the central theme was on the literary impact of black history, events also incorporated music and film. A gospel concert was performed in partnership with the St. Paul Black Ministerial Alliance. In addition, a coffeehouse in which people shared readings and talked about prominent figures in black history they admired drew a crowd of 50. To conclude the evening, the key band, Faith, played a combination of music that included Christian rap and rock.

“When we can all come together and appreciate other cultures it expands us more, and we can make Bethel a strong place from the inside out,” Fields concluded.