Welcome to spring semesters first episode of Expect Diversity! In this episode we talk with Michael Hobson,Taylor Spidell, Autumne Peoples, and host Colleen Green about the importance of Black History Month.
According to Taylor Spidell, Black History Month celebrates all black activists and celebrates every little achievement. The national theme is African Americans and the arts-opportunities to explore all the arts. Black History Month to Taylor means making another space for people that look like her. To Autumn, it means being seen “Not many mainstream media people who look like us”. It gives people information on those who were not too known back then. History is powerful. It helps build a community for the people that tend to stay to themselves. Sometimes people wonder why we still need Black History Month. We believe it’s to allow us to tell our stories from our perspectives. Social media shows a positive impact on Black History Month, as it allows people to share our perspectives and little unknown facts every day. In today’s time, Black History Month is more significant than in the past because schools are trying to get rid of it.
“It’s unfortunate Black History Month is the shortest month of the year, but I’m still grateful for it” says Autumne.
From left to right: Autumne Peoples, Taylor Spidell
On the topic of social media, Michael speaks about an account he found on TikTok called Black History Facts which showed him things that he was surprised he didn’t know, Michael sees social media as a point of reference when learning about black history. Taylor mentions the power social media holds for those who get information from social media instead of the news. Autumne mentions that social media is a great way to push out a message “puts it in our faces and says hey this is something we need to pay attention to and support”
As a group they speak about the impacts social media has had on them. Colleen Green talks about the knowledge she has learned from social media such as news about Rube Foster; the founder of the Negro League Baseball also known as “The Father of Black Baseball” would come to Ferris and Booker T Washington had a “shared student program” involving Ferris and Hampton University.
Colleen Green then asked the question of commercialization of Black History Month with large companies or organizations trying to make money off an effort to educate. Taylor answered “A lot of commercials show being black as hard, it is hard being black but that’s not all that it is” because of this Taylor believes that people get the wrong idea of what it means to be black. Autumne was the next to answer she talks about how she doesn’t like the idea of these companies making money off of black history stating “I think it would be better if they took that initiative and put it towards a good movement or something that could actually benefit the black community instead of boosting their own company”.
Taylor Spidell is a student leader and activist, and talks about her feelings on the authenticity of people’s support in the Black Lives Matter movement. She mentions that people these days “aren’t authentic about their work”. Taylor is very outspoken about her activism for the Black Lives Matter movement and has even won awards for her activism. She speaks about her passion on making changes for her community. Colleen Green asks her guest “So, why is Black History Month important?” and in response each guest answers with their own opinion and experiences with Michael Hobson tying in his experience of his father being a black history instructor. Autumne Peoples speaks about the negative connotations surrounding the month due to questions like “Where’s the month for my history?” Autumne’s perspective is that the African American population has been oppressed for a very long time, and that oppression holds a significant role in American history. Black culture is deeply intertwined with American history, but all people talk about is slavery; but Michael wants people to know that black people are more than just slavery.
In future news keep an eye out for Black History Month events planned this February, including a march planned by Taylor Spidell being held on 2-21-24 to highlight those who have died in the hands of the law. Michael Hobson has events planned 2-7-24 with a game night open to all, 2-15-24 movie and discussion and 2-22-24 Black Leadership Forum.