As the culmination of a year-long theme for UMOJA — Penn’s black student group — a compilation of works from various black students at Penn is being made into a book.
The book, entitled Le Negre Nouveau — “The New Negro” in French — will feature essays, artwork and poetry about the black student experience at Penn.
Le Negre Nouveau originated as an idea for a theme for UMOJA in the 2009-2010 school year, according to Wharton sophomore and UMOJA Planning and Facilitating Chairman Jeffrey Tillus.
It grew out of a discussion Tillus had with other UMOJA board members about issues that affect black students at Penn, including the University legacy of black students, previous instances of racial profiling on campus and the social status of the black community.
A proposal for the theme, written by Tillus and College junior and previous UMOJA Chairman Ryan Jobson, received approval from DuBois College House, the Center for Africana Studies and Makuu, the black cultural center.
The compilation of the book is thus a culmination of a year-long effort by UMOJA groups to plan events around the theme.
The title is based on a 1925 anthology entitled The New Negro: An Interpretation, edited by Alain Locke, which detailed the black experience during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.
Leaders from various black student groups, including Greek organizations, arts groups and cultural groups are submitting addresses for the anthology, according to Tillus.
The book is also part of Tillus’ class project for a new Africana Studies class about the history of black students at Penn, co-taught by University Associate Chaplain Chaz Howard and doctoral student Brian Peterson.
According to Makuu Associate Director Daina Richie, they are working closely with the University Archives.
Howard wrote in an e-mail that the project will “allow future Penn students to hear from their predecessors about the trials and triumphs that they have endured.”
Tillus would like for future students, especially those of color, to “know that in the year 2010, there was a strong black community that wanted to be remembered and wanted to leave something behind for future generations to come.”
