AFAM News
News from Africana Studies
Africana Studies
January 7, 2021
Africana Studies welcomes all ETSU students back for the spring 2021 semester.
Africana Studies
January 7, 2021
Africana Studies encourages faculty, staff, students, and the public, to take advantage of the opportunities regionally to support MLK day. Also, Africana Studies encourages everyone to help the Tri-Cities Virtual Food Drive For Second Harvest (December 28-January 18). You can see more information about the event here and how you can donate here.
Africana Studies
January 7, 2021
Statement concerning Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol
The Africana Studies program condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the terroristic acts of roving marauders at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Violently invading the center of our Republic and democracy is not patriotic, it is an attack on our values, institutions, and country. There is no place for any of these actions in a civilized society. The Africana Studies program is fiercely committed to protest. Protest is as American as apple pie. But what happened at the Capitol was violent, undemocratic, and thuggish. It was an attempted coup. We urge appropriate law enforcement agencies and officials to identify and prosecute those responsible for those horrific acts. Finally, we strongly affirm our commitment to democracy, equality, respect for others and non-violence.
Dr. Daryl A. Carter
Director/Africana Studies
Professor of History
East Tennessee State University
Africana Studies
January 7, 2021
Africana Studies
January 6, 2021
Africana Studies
January 6, 2021
The Africana Studies program congratulates Rev. Raphael Warnock on being elected to the U.S. Senate. He is the first African American elected to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Senator-Elect Warnock will be only the 11th African American to serve the august upper house of Congress. His predecessors are:
- Hiram Revels, R-Mississippi
- Blanche K. Bruce, R-Mississippi
- Edward Brooke, R-Massachusetts
- Carol Moseley Braun, D-Illinois
- Barack Obama, D-Illinois
- Roland Burris, D-Illinois
- Tim Scott, R-South Carolina
- William Cowan, D-Massachusetts
- Cory A. Booker, D-New Jersey
- Kamala D. Harris, D-California.
Please read about these senators at https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/h_multi_sections_and_teasers/Photo_Exhibit_African_American_Senators.htm
Africana Studies
December 22, 2020
Dr. Daryl Carter has been named the permanent director of the Africana Studies Program. Dr. Carter is a professor of history at East Tennessee State University. He has taught numerous courses and students in the program during his career at ETSU. Currently, Dr. Carter is working on a book length examination of American liberalism, Edward M. Kennedy, and the United States since 1980.
Africana Studies
December 11, 2020
Africana Studies wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Dr. Carter will be out of the office from December 21, 2020 to January 4, 2021.
Africana Studies
December 7, 2020
Africana Studies wishes all students good luck on final exams. It has been a long semester. But it is almost over. Stay strong for just a few more days.
Africana Studies
November 19, 2020
Africana Studies wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Please be safe, wear a mask, and show love to everyone.
Africana Studies
November 10, 2020
Statement concerning Historic Election
The Africana Studies program rejoices in the election of the first woman, first African American, first Asian American. Sen. Kamala Harris’ election proves that America is still a place where people came dream big and achieve huge things. The Africana Studies program congratulates President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Africana Studies
November 9, 2020
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Substance Use Risk in Rural TN Research Study
If you are 18+, a resident of the 1st Congressional District, currently present in the U.S., and would like to participate in a research study: please click the survey here and read the consent form. This study is open to people in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.
For more information contact Gracie M. Carter at cartergm@etsu.edu.
Africana Studies
November 2, 2020
Statement concerning Our Civic Duty
The 2020 election will take place tomorrow. Voters across the nation will visit their local polling stations to cast ballots for local, county, state, and federal offices. Every election matters. Elections determine the direction of the nation. But elections are also about values. What do you value? What is important to you? How do local, state, and federal governments impact you?
Since the nation was founded nearly 250 years ago Americans have sacrificed, fought, bled, and died to maintain and expand upon our rights as citizens. This is especially true regarding the right to vote. Every citizen should participate. Africana Studies strongly encourages the following:
- Every citizen vote.
- You remain civil and non-violent.
- You report acts of voter intimidation and/or violence.
- Love your political opponents.
- Recognize the humanity of people who are different.
- You inform yourself on the candidates and issues prior to voting.
- Bring a fully charged cell phone to record any actions which are negative.
Democracies are fragile. They require great care. Today, we are confronted with such problems as disinformation, lack of public morality, apathy, voter intimidation, voter suppression, citizens who are not properly informed about issues of great concern, and an increasingly fragmented and polarized society. Africana Studies asks all Americans to do their civic duty in a non-violent and responsible manner.
Africana Studies
November 2, 2020
Course Offerings for Spring 2021
Africana Studies
October 16, 2020
Final Days to View the Black Diaspora Exhibition
October 16-17 are the last two days to view the Black Diaspora exhibition at Tipton Gallery. The exhibit will be available to visit today and tomorrow from 5-7 p.m. The New Latinx South exhibitions at Slocumb Galleries are also available to view on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Africana Studies
October 14, 2020
LCRC Sponsored Event with Dr. Paulo Dutra
Tomorrow at 5pm Dr. Paulo Dutra, from University of New Mexico, will talk with us about his research on Machado de Assis focusing on issues of race and identity in Brazil. Machado is Brazil's most celebrated writer. He was the founder and first president of the Brazilian Academy of Letters. During about the first 100 years his scholars accused him of being silent in matters of race and slavery. Dr. Dutra's research focus on unveiling Machado's mixed race and showing how the author approaches race in an ambiguous way very similar to Toni Morrison does in her short story The Recitatif. This event will occur via Zoom, and you can participate via this link.
Africana Studies
October 14, 2020
Tennessee begins early voting today. Africana Studies strongly encourages all eligible and registered voters to vote. Every election carries consequences, both good and bad, which has a profound impact on our country. Make your voice heard. Be strong and courageous!
Africana Studies
October 7, 2020
Dr. Carter kicks off Southern Festival of Books by introducing Ann Patchett and Yaa Gyasi.
Africana Studies
August 27, 2020
Events in Kenosha, Wisconsin
The shooting of Jacob Blake at the hands of police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this past weekend, once again demonstrate the need for greater understanding and reform. Every suspect has constitutional rights. Among those rights is the right to face trial and a jury of one’s peers. It is not acceptable for law enforcement officers to be judge, jury, and executioner. While there are times when officers must use deadly force ideally, it should be rare. For African American men and boys there are too many of these encounters with law enforcement. It needs to stop! Injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere.
The Africana Studies program stands in solidarity with peaceful protesters in Wisconsin. We support all those who challenge injustice and inequity through creative and non-violent ways. Every person in this country has the right and expectation to be treated fairly and respectfully by the human instruments of governmental power. Further, we encourage all Americans to exercise points of pressure on those in power, such as peaceful protesting, civic engagement, educational outreach, and, most importantly, voting in local, state, and federal elections for candidates committed to making the United States a safer, more just place.
Africana Studies
August 27, 2020
Africana Studies
August 19, 2020
Celebrating Women & The Vote
Africana Studies proudly celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. This landmark event should remind all Americans of the importance of the vote. Citizenship was limited when the nation was founded in the late 18th century. Most people were excluded from political power. As time progressed women’s rights were almost entirely focused on white women. But African American women were active and crucial players in the fight for equality. As we celebrate women gaining the right to vote let us also remember women such as Ida B. Wells, Anna J. Cooper, Mary-Ann Shadd Cary, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Mary Church Terrell, Nannie Helen Burroughs, and Daisy Elizabeth Adams Lampkin, among many others, who fought for the right to vote.
The 2020 election is only seventy-five days away. Africana Studies strongly encourages all Americans to register to vote and to cast a ballot in November. Do not let the sacrifices of all those brave and courageous women go to waste.
Africana Studies
August 13, 2020
An Exciting First
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, D-California, has been tapped as the vice presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. She is the first woman of color to serve on a presidential ticket. Her mother was from India and her father is from Jamaica. The Africana Studies program celebrates the nominee for her accomplishment.
Further, Africana Studies promotes inclusion of all peoples in politics. ETSU students, faculty, and staff, should engage in the political process. All should engage the political parties that represent them best. Moreover, it is vitally important that the two major parties embrace and reach out to underrepresented groups and people. The most direct ways to get involved are to register to vote, inform yourself about the issues, and to cast a ballot in November. Here are some key dates for the State of Tennessee.
Monday, October 5, 2020
Wednesday, October 14-Thursday, October 29, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
*More information can be found at https://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/2020-election-calendar
*Also, please look at this important ETSU website: https://www.etsu.edu/students/sao/organizations/civicengagement/voterregistration.php
Africana Studies
August 10, 2020
Africana Studies is proud to announce its new partnership with Slocumb Galleries and
the Department of Art & Design, as co-sponsor for the 'Black Diaspora: From Africa
to Appalachia to Affrilachia - Reclaiming History, Memory, and Place' exhibitions
curated by Marie T. Cochran and Lyn Govette.
We encourage everyone to make time to view the exhibitions and attend or watch Zoomcast
of the events listed below. Here is the list of events:
Black Diaspora: Reclaiming History, Memory, and Place
August 18 to September 11 at Slocumb Galleries and August 27 to October 9, Tipton
Gallery
ArtQuests' with Viola Spells and Jason Flack
August 19, Wednesday, 3pm, at Slocumb Galleries, Virtual via Zoom and Facebook Live
Black Diaspora Panel: Conversations on Race, Education, and Social Justice in Appalachia
September 3, Thursday, 6 pm, Langston Centre and Virtual Zoom & Facebook Live
Moderator: Mr. Adam Dickson, Director/Langston Centre
Panelists:
Dr. Keith Johnson, Vice President, ETSU Office of Equity & Inclusion
Viola Spells, Affrilachian Artists Project
Dr. William Turner, Appalachian Scholar Frank X, Walker, Founder, Affrilachian Poet
Marie T. Cochran, Founder, Affrilachian Artists Project
'Red Summer in Knoxville' and 'Expulsion in Erwin' film showing and Q&A with William
Isom II, Black in Appalachia
September 9, Wednesday, 7pm, Virtual Zoom & Facebook Live
Performance by Grammy-nominated musician AmythystKiah
October 2, Friday, 6 pm, Virtual Zoom & Facebook Live
Community Engagement & Youth Mentorship by Jason Flack and Viola Spells
Carver Recreation Center, ETSU Quest for Success, Langston Centre STEAM
Afterschool Program and other regional youth centers
*Events may be viewed via ETSU Slocumb Galleries’ Facebook Live or Zoom on schedule:
https://etsu.zoom.us/myslocumbgalleries