Ball State University
Multicultural Center
Cultural Times
March 2011
Come Visit Us!
Perspectives Discussion: The “N-word” Has it Been
Buried?
Inside this issue:
Heritage Film Series 2
Events Calendar
3
The Multicultural Center
325 N. McKinley
mc2@bsu.edu
(765) 285-1344
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In honor of Black History Month, the
Multicultural Center held a Perspective‟s
Discussion on February 16, 2011 at 3pm
titled, The “N-word”- Has it Been Buried?
Historically, this word can be classified as
one of the most degrading and racist slurs
ever created. It‟s meaning devalued and
dehumanized the African-American
community. It became culturally
acceptable for White people to believe
that African-Americans were ignorant,
barbaric, and inherently worth less than
human beings.
Ironically, in the last few decades, this
word has been accepted and used among
the African-Americans. It is very normal
to see African-Americans address each
other as “nigga”. They essentially took the
„er‟ and added and „a‟. Many justify the
use by claiming that the word now has a
new meaning.
About 25 students gathered from different
ethnic backgrounds to share their
perspectives about the topic. The program
began with a preview of two videos that
demonstrated both sides of the debate.
The first was an interview between Jay- Z
and Oprah. Jay-Z shared that he uses the
n-word in his music to do two main
things, empower the African American
community and to take the derogatory
meaning of the word away from it. The
second video featured a young boy who
passionately shared the history of the
n-word. He expressed how African
American forefathers would be
Students and staff dialogue
about the use of the n-word
disappointed if they heard today's
generation using the word. These
courageous men and women suffered,
risked, and even lost their lives for the
sake of equality. He stated that they
would be disappointed at the fact that
this degrading word is now used so
casually among this ethnic community.
Students were extremely engaged and
many stayed for several hours to talk
about the topic. At the end of the day it
was the students choice to continue
using the word or to become an
advocate against its use.
Page 2
Heritage Film Series: Eyes on the Prize Documentary
“Ain’t Scared of your Jails”
The Civil Rights Movement was a
an essential part of American
History. It was known as a
powerful movement in the United
States that fought to outlaw racial
discrimination against African
Americans. Eyes on the Prize is a
famous documentary that captures
the story of many individuals who
risked their lives for the sake of
gaining freedom, respect, dignity
and social equality. The
Multicultural Center found it appropriate to
feature one small portion of these
documentaries on February 23, 2011 at 7pm
titled “Ain‟t Scared of your Jails”. This
portion of the documentary features the
courageous and touching movement led by
college students who sought to end the
discrimination showed to them at the lunch
counters. This student movement was vital
to the overall movement and encouraged
others to peacefully protest for their rights.
Several were taken to jail for it.
Although these students were arrested,
beaten, and offended, they continued to
protest. This led to a community wide bus
boycott. After much struggle they eventually
won. It was amazing to see that it was not
only African Americans who
fought for equality, there were
also White people who
protested and got beaten for it
too.
The students who attended
this event were able to reflect
on these incidents and reflect
on their individual efforts for
things they stand for and
believe in. Many shared how
they would not be as brave as these
students and recognized that they take
many things for granted. The question
now is, what will you do to stand up for
what you believe in?
“One man scorned and covered with
scars still strove with his last ounce of
courage to reach the unreachable stars;
and the world was better for this.”
-Don Quixote De la Mancha
Page 3
Ball State University Multicultural Events - March 2011
Date/Time
Event
Location/Sponsor
3/2/2011
12:00pm
Cultural Exchange:
Journey through Africa with
Alexandre Mballa-Ekobena
Student Center 102 - Yuhas Room
Sponsored by the Rinker Center for
International Programs
3/2/2011
5:00pm
Citizen‟s Workshop
Student Center 301
Sponsored by Latino Student Union
3/16/2011
12:00pm
Cultural Exchange:
Jordan with Imad Khawaldeh
Student Center 102 - Yuhas Room
Sponsored by the Rinker Center for
International Programs
3/16/2011
3:00pm
Perspectives Discussion:
Women of Color in Popular Culture
Multicultural Center
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center
3/16/2011
5:00pm
Latin Fusion
Student Center 301
Sponsored by Latino Student Union
3/19/2011
8:00am 5:00pm
Women 2 Women Conference:
Jumping the Hurdles
Student Center
Sponsored by Today’s Black Women &
Multicultural Center
3/19/2011
5:30pm
Taste of Africa
Christian House
Sponsored by the African Student Association
3/22/2011
11am - 2pm
Cultivate Inclusion:
Awareness Table
Student Center Tally
Sponsored by Disabled Student Development
3/23/2011
11am - 2pm
Cultivate Inclusion:
Awareness Table
Student Center Tally
Sponsored by Disabled Student Development
3/23/2011
12:00pm
Cultural Exchange:
Brazil with Carolina Petry
Matzenbacher
Student Center 102 - Yuhas Room
Sponsored by the Rinker Center for
International Programs
3/24/2011
12:00pm
Multi Table at the Atrium
AJ Atrium
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center
3/25/2011
1:00pm
Spanish Conversation Hour
Multicultural Center
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center
3/26/2011
TBD
The Indianapolis Association of Black
Journalists choose Ball State
TBD
Sponsored by IABJ
3/25/2011
6:00pm
Dinner Theatre
Student Center Ballroom
Sponsored by Latino Student Union
3/29/2011
5:30pm
Joe Hernandez-Kolski: “Cultural
Teachers College 101
Collisions: Commentary for a changing Sponsored by Latino Student Union
America”
3/30/2011
12:00pm
Cultural Exchange:
Bangladesh with Mehdi Rajeb
Student Center 102 - Yuhas Room
Sponsored by the Rinker Center for
International Programs
3/30/2011
7:00pm
Heritage Film Series:
Good Hair Documentary
Pruis Hall
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center
Contact The Multicultural Center, Call: 765-285-1344 or E-mail: mc2@bsu.edu