Panel celebrates Afro-American Studies program

On the occasion of the Afro-American Studies Program's 25th anniversary, a distinguished group of faculty and students conducted a panel discussion called "Afro-American Studies at Penn: Our Beginnings, Our Future" Tuesday at the Annenberg School for Communication. Director of Afro-American Studies Herman Beavers opened the event by providing historical background on African Diasporic Study at the University and the Development of the Afro-American Studies Program. Beavers spoke about contributors such as W.E.B. DuBois, who came to the Penn in 1896 holding a Harvard University doctorate, but was not granted rank of professor at the University. In 1949, "the University awarded [William] Fontaine what it had denied DuBois -- a regular professorship, thus making him the first fully affiliated African American faculty member of the University," Beavers said. Public Policy and History Professor Theodore Hershberg spoke of his teaching experience when he came to Penn in 1967 and the difficulties he faced while attempting to increase the number of courses in Afro-American Studies at the University. "The battle was a political battle to have Black Studies taught at Penn -- the battle was won, but the war was lost because African American Studies was not integrated into the mainstream curriculum," Hershberg said. "There was a time when simply being respected was a risk because of the color of your skin," he added, noting that during his lectures, a squad of students would stand behind him and loudly disagree with his points, simply because he was not African American. History Professor Robert Engs said the Afro-American Studies Program survived at the time largely because it was placed in the Provost's office, which was committed to keeping the program intact. Engs added that the students who desired a separate school of Afro- American Studies in the 1960s faced much opposition. "I understand that the student demands for a separate school of Black Studies at Penn had less to do with intellectual reasons, but everything to do with their distrust of Penn and the desire for autonomy," he said. "What I didn't understand, though, was the extent of opposition regarding the program." Other panelists at yesterday's discussion included Education Professor Vivian Gadsden, English Professor InZs Salazar, Human Relations Professor Houston Baker, Jr., College senior and Afro-American Studies Major Brennan Maier and Rhonda Frederick, a doctoral student in the English Department. The Afro-American Studies Program's ongoing success requires long-term University commitment, an improved African American retention and recruitment and a financial investment, according to Gadsden. "The struggle does continue, but I also think the possibilities are emerging? ," she said. After each of the speakers shared their personal stories, a discussion followed. The panelists agreed in their hope to see the Afro-American Studies Program flourish in the next few years and into the next century. "As the Afro-American Studies Program moves toward its 26th year at the University of Pennsylvania, we invite the University Community to celebrate the vision, commitment and dedication of those students and scholars who have made the program a reality," Beavers said.

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