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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2001)
What does Black History Month mean to you? “I think it’s such an awe some opportunity to see the awesome things our culture had done... We have a lot of diversity in our nation, and it’s neat that we have the ability and freedom to celebrate that.” Anami Armstrong freshman "I think of my grandfather ... he was a com poser, he was Panamanian black and he always tried to write his music uniquely, but keep ing his heritage in mind.” Arel Cordero senior “It’s about recognizing racist oppression, and a his tory that hasn’t been in cluded, and looking at the interconnectedness of that with curent oppression. We need more education.” Kelly Raydon-Feeney junior “ It’s a chance to let people of all races, all ages, all cul tural backgrounds get to know our culture, and to get rid of the stereotypes... It’s a chance to learn the truth and learn new ideas about black people in gen eral. We’re lucky we have a month to celebrate.” Andric Brown junior Black History continued from page 1A Library and the University, origi nated because bias toward blacks emerged as a concern in the early 1900s. One of the first people to be ac tively concerned with bias toward African-Americans was Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who earned a doctor ate from Harvard University. Woodson started the African American celebration in 1926. For one week in February, a spe cial observance was made in hopes that all Americans would be re minded of their ethnic roots and develop a mutual respect for di verse backgrounds. During the American Bicenten nial celebration in 1976, the Asso ciation for the Study of Afro-Amer ican Life and History expanded the Celebration from one week to the entire month of February. This al lowed for more programs, obser vances and celebrations. Millner, a University graduate who has publicly spoken on the role of blacks in American history for 25 years since the celebration was expanded to a month-long event, said he is excited to be speaking to the Eugene crowd. “History has been helpful to me as an individual, in helping me to come to grips with racial realities,” Millner said. “Because it’s been so helpful to me, I want to share it with others in hopes that they will be better informed.” Millner’s speech will focus on the role of blacks during Oregon’s pioneer days and why blacks re main a minority in Oregon. “There are many interesting racial issues that stem from the pio neer days that contribute to why there are less [people of color] in smaller areas of the state,” Miller said. Millner also said that Black His tory Month is a kind of “medicine.” “Information on black history is negatively and racially distorted,” Millner said. “This month is an an tidote that can inform people on the real black history experience.” Cleveland, who will be gearing her musical workshop at the library toward kids, said she is participat ing in the programs because it’s im portant for youth to realize the in fluence of black music on today’s music. “The more kids are exposed to this kind of thing, the more knowl edgeable they’ll be,” Cleveland said. Cleveland said her performance will be interactive, with singing, hand clapping and foot stomping. University Professor Tom Wheel er, who plays in Cleveland’s blues band, said that Black History Month is important to Eugene be cause of the small minority popu lation. “It’s also important from a par ent’s perspective,” Wheeler said. “We live in a community that is overwhelmingly white, which means it’s even more important to be aware of how a diverse culture has brought about our current cul ture.” UO, OSU both fit for Bend ■ An advisory board gives the state board no advice about which should open a branch in Central Oregon By Andrew Adams Oregon Daily Emerald Both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University are ca pable of fulfilling Central Oregon’s higher education needs, a group of Bend-area business and education leaders decided Wednesday. During the final meeting of the Central Oregon Regional Advisory Board, members decided to pass the final decision regarding which institution could open a Bend branch campus to the State Board of Higher Education without any strong recommendation for either school. Although the final decision has always been in the hands of the state board, the advisory board’s feedback and recommendations have played an instrumental role in the process of bringing a four-year university to the Bend area. In its fi nal meeting, advisory board mem bers decided the only recommen dation they would give Joseph Cox, Oregon University System chancel lor, was that both OSU and the Uni versity of Oregon offered what Bend residents needed. The State Board of Education will make its decision during its meeting Feb. 16. “I think we’re really moving on,” said Patricia Moss, a Bend bank ex ecutive and advisory board mem ber. “The choice really belongs to the state board.” She said the Central Oregon Re gional Advisory Board meeting brought closure to the issue. “We’ve done what we were asked to do,” she said. Bob Barber, president of Central Oregon Community College, is also a member of the advisory board and said the next step will be plan ning the structural changes on the COCC campus to be ready for what ever university is selected to open a branch campus. If all goes as planned, Barber said, the branch campus will be ready in Septem ber. “We’re just working on imple mentation,” he said. Barber said he was pleased with the role Central Oregon was able to play in the process and said it is now up to the OUS to determine how the new campus will affect the rest of the state. Stephen Pyke, a computer firm executive and regional advisory board member, said he was satis fied with how the process went and looked forward to the state board’s decision. “I think whatever way they choose will be good for Central Oregon,” he said. Though the Bend community has seen some bickering between Ducks and Beavers over the issue, Pyke said there was none of that during the meeting. “None of the [Central Oregon Re gional Advisory Board] members took the opportunity to voice an opinion one way or another,” he said. Pyke said it was also gratifying to see both John Moseley, University of Oregon provost, and OSU Provost Tim White offer each other an “olive branch” by committing to work together. Moseley acknowledged that he offered to collaborate with OSU but downplayed the significance of the offer. “I think that’s not really anything new,” he said. Even though advisory board members did not explicitly support the University’s proposal, Moseley said that in itself, it was almost a success because people in Bend didn’t warm to the University pro posal from the start. “The ... board early on didn’t re ally see the UO as being a serious and committed player in this,” he said. With the final decision about two weeks away, Moseley still feels good about the University’s chances. “I remain just as optimistic as I have been about it,” he said. Jerry Colonna, Redmond Public School District superintendent and advisory board member, said all board members were happy to keep the momentum going for the branch campus. He said while there may be a few more hurdles in the state legislature as it wrangles over budget issues, most people in Bend are confidently awaiting their new campus. “This may be the most important event for Bend,” he said. “It ab solutely changes the fundamental fabric of the community.” Berg’s Ski Bus to Willamette Pass, Nil Bachelor & Hoodoo! RENTALS! Downhill (new shaped skis) $411 & Cross Country Ill 13th & Lawrence • 183-1300 • nww.tter9ssfctst10p.cofn Going to Dental School? Attend Kaplan’s Dental School Admissions Workshop. February 6,2001 6 - 8 PM Eugene Kaplan Center Call today to reserve your seat! 1-800-KAP-TEST kaptest.com Test prep, admissions and guidance. For life. 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