Black History Month a Time for Reflection

As the end of the millennium approaches, Black History Month at Cal State Northridge has become more a time of self-reflection than ever.

The theme is consistent throughout the dozen or so events at the campus this month--with students not only acknowledging their past but questioning their future and their role in society.

“This is a very important time, not only for the black students, but for all students,” said David Horne, director of the Pan African Studies Department. “It’s time to look at ourselves and to strategize our future.”

At the first event in the monthlong observance, a special round-table discussion by students and faculty of issues they wanted to touch on, Horne said he quickly found out that everyone was on the same page--where do we go from here?

That theme can be detected in several events, including the student/faculty planning session scheduled for Thursday and a debate Feb. 19 on the role of African Americans in society.

“We want to promote an intelligent discussion about the state of our society, and the students are really responding to that,” Horne said.

Also on the agenda for the month are a step-dancing performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, several plays performed by students, as well as professional troupes, guest speakers and a screening of Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad.”

There are also two tributes to the role of women in the past and present as well as poetry and short-story readings. For more information about CSUN events during Black History Month, call (818) 677-2130.