What We Think
TSU community should support historical conference
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Forum
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The 13th Annual Africana Studies Conference is to be held in the Floyd-Payne Campus Center on February 1-3. While The Meter could simply encourage students to attend the conference, we want to present to the university community give it their full support.
The conference should not be viewed as something that is just for Black History Month or something that is just for those of African descent.
Both those of us who are and aren't of African decent should use this as an opportunity to enhance our knowledge of not only the Africana Studies department but also of black studies in general.
Being that TSU is a historically black college or university, it is imperative that students and faculty are aware of the historical importance of this institution, among others, that took on the task of educating those who would not have the opportunity otherwise.
Even though our schedules may not present us with the opportunity to take a class in the Africana studies department, we can use this as an opportunity to enhance our knowledge of the wide variety of programs TSU offers.
At the heart of the matter, TSU is much more than any one student's major. As a comprehensive state institution, TSU offers a large variety of majors and concentrations. As it currently stands, though, there aren't too many academic programs here that host an event that is as large and successful as this conference has been during its existence.
The purpose of the conference is to stress the idea of cultural diversity among students beyond their fields of study. In a growing global economy, the importance of students expanding their horizons will be a key to their own personal success.
Globalization, despite being viewed as a buzzword by some, is a reality in today's world and has far reaching implications into the future.
The fact is our world has shrunk substantially with the advent of the Internet and telecommunications. Africa as the second most populous continent in the world will.
Also as the conference begins we should keep in mind some of the realities that are facing some nations of the African continent.
In the Somali capital of Mogadishu, factional violence has ignited and three battalions of soldiers from Uganda and Nigeria will begin peacekeeping efforts in the North African nation.
In Darfur, the UN estimates that the three years of bloody conflict has left 200,000 people dead and nearly 2.5 million people displaced from their homes.
So while we are able to enjoy the conference in relative calm we should not forget that there are pressing issues across the globe that require our attention. Students should use opportunities such as this to show that their focus extends beyond their own interests.
As the proverbial adage states, "When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, one must take advantage in the lifetime of that opportunity."
The conference should not be viewed as something that is just for Black History Month or something that is just for those of African descent.
Both those of us who are and aren't of African decent should use this as an opportunity to enhance our knowledge of not only the Africana Studies department but also of black studies in general.
Being that TSU is a historically black college or university, it is imperative that students and faculty are aware of the historical importance of this institution, among others, that took on the task of educating those who would not have the opportunity otherwise.
Even though our schedules may not present us with the opportunity to take a class in the Africana studies department, we can use this as an opportunity to enhance our knowledge of the wide variety of programs TSU offers.
At the heart of the matter, TSU is much more than any one student's major. As a comprehensive state institution, TSU offers a large variety of majors and concentrations. As it currently stands, though, there aren't too many academic programs here that host an event that is as large and successful as this conference has been during its existence.
The purpose of the conference is to stress the idea of cultural diversity among students beyond their fields of study. In a growing global economy, the importance of students expanding their horizons will be a key to their own personal success.
Globalization, despite being viewed as a buzzword by some, is a reality in today's world and has far reaching implications into the future.
The fact is our world has shrunk substantially with the advent of the Internet and telecommunications. Africa as the second most populous continent in the world will.
Also as the conference begins we should keep in mind some of the realities that are facing some nations of the African continent.
In the Somali capital of Mogadishu, factional violence has ignited and three battalions of soldiers from Uganda and Nigeria will begin peacekeeping efforts in the North African nation.
In Darfur, the UN estimates that the three years of bloody conflict has left 200,000 people dead and nearly 2.5 million people displaced from their homes.
So while we are able to enjoy the conference in relative calm we should not forget that there are pressing issues across the globe that require our attention. Students should use opportunities such as this to show that their focus extends beyond their own interests.
As the proverbial adage states, "When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, one must take advantage in the lifetime of that opportunity."
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