MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Black History Month Committee kicked off its celebration of Black History Month on Tuesday with student readings from two notable works, “Theme for English B” and “A House With No Walls” at The Ohio State University at Mansfield.
“Today’s event, I think, is just a wonderful example of individuals coming together and collaborating for what we think is just a really worthwhile activity,” said Renee Thompson, family engagement and outreach coordinator at OSU-Mansfield.
Thompson thanked Violet Wetzel, a member of the Black History Month Committee, for providing the concept that shaped the event.
Wetzel plays an active role in the community by serving as a member of the Mansfield branch of the NAACP and the Mansfield Human Relations Commission. She also participates in Program 60 at OSU-Mansfield, which enables qualified individuals to register and attend undergraduate and graduate level courses tuition-free.
Wetzel said she hopes that those attending Tuesday’s event would gain a deeper understanding of the historical background of racial conflict that still exists today.
Student Stephanie Dennard read from Langston Hughes’ “Theme for English B.” Hughes was one of the most prominent American poets of the 20th century and the most recognizable poet to have written during the Harlem Renaissance.
“His poetry challenges ideas of race and racism, as well as American identity,” said Joe Fahey, associate professor of theatre. “Nowhere is this challenge more evident than in the poem, ‘Theme for English B,’ read today by Stephanie Dennard, in which the black speaker of the poem reflects on his presence in an all white English class and how this experience is representative of a larger American experience.”
One of the questions asked following that reading was, “Is being an American a more important label than being black, white, or any other label that we can put on ourselves?”
Student Mark Matthews said people need to take a broader look at human beings beyond race.
“Label ourselves as part of the human race, not put ourselves above each other because of our race, or our country … If we’re going to choose a label for ourselves that we’re going to stand by, I think human is a good one.”
Hands clapped and heads nodded in agreement to his response.
Students Chelsi Knight and Cameron Lee read from Thomas Gibbons’, “A House With No Walls.”
Thompson noted that there are more events to come that will recognize Black History Month, the next being “A Call To Action” Community Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 18 at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
