By Keasia Jenkins
Correspondent
The College’s African American studies program teaches social, political, economic and cultural history of people of African descent. It creates a safe space and community, as well as breaking down social constructs of race. It strengthens students' research and writing skills.
However, under President Donald Trump’s administration, there has been a push against Black studies and history in schools across the United States, history is being erased or obscured in federal agencies because it’s seen as an “old issue” according to the New York Times. At a time like this, it is becoming even more important to have knowledge on Black history, and the College’s African American studies program is a key way to pursue it.
The program was founded in 1971 by professors Stephen Chukumba, Donald Evans, Gloria Harper Dickinson and Kim Pearson. It was introduced when the U.S. was going through many major racial changes and Black people, especially Black students, were fighting for equality in their day to day lives and education.
The first Black studies program in the country, under the name “Ethnic Studies,” was introduced at San Francisco State College in 1969 after a five-month-long protest. The protest started in 1968, headed by Black students who felt the school should have created a learning space for specifically African American lived experience. By 1970, 1,000 colleges had organized Black studies courses, programs or departments.
“It’s essential to study Black history because the legacy of slavery in this country haunts us,” said Piper Kendrix Williams, the chairperson of African American studies at the College.
Williams is entering her last year of a six year term as the chairperson of African American studies. She’s a professor in the program, and has been at the College since August 2002. Williams has created multiple classes within the program, including “Early African American Literature” and contemporary African American classes. Williams is currently teaching “Recovering the Black Past Through Fiction And Nonfiction.”
“All the forms of evil, cruelty, the task system, the separation of families, the white supremacy, and if you don’t know your past you cannot face the future. There shouldn’t be anything scary when learning about history because it already happened,” said Williams.
One of William’s passions is teaching students new things and opening up their eyes on topics they’ve never learned before. Her favorite class to teach is a senior capstone, as students are able to take hold of the class and present their ideas.
African American studies is also uniquely interdisciplinary, and can be used in a multitude of career fields because of what it teaches about people and the world around you.
“I think that there’s such a hugely untapped history that we don’t talk about in mainstream education that I was very angry that I had never had the chance to learn. That was one of the really big things that brought me to the African American studies department.” said Artemis Fraine ‘21.
“African American studies is an expansive field that welcomes thinking and working outside of the box. One of my favorite professors in Africana studies was also a practicing therapist. Her understanding of African spirituality and black feminism informed her approach to her students and clients. Here at TCNJ, the AAS classroom is full of students from a variety of majors and it makes the classroom experience so dynamic,” said Professor Samira Abdur-Rahman.
Abdur-Rahman began teaching at the College in the fall of 2021. She is a core faculty member in the English department, and also teaches classes in African American studies and environmental studies. Her favorite class within the department is “Literature of Black Childhood.”
Not only does African American studies provide practical skills, but it provides emotional and cultural skills that can help students navigate intercultural relationships and connections within their personal and professional lives.
“Police need African American studies majors because then they will understand that Black people are human and worthy of their respect and dignity. Doctors and nurses need it because many still believe that black people are fundamentally different from white people and that Black women can tolerate more pain than other women. That’s why Black women are dying more in childbirth. The teachers need it, the engineers need it. It’s an anecdote for racism because racism is endemic through everything,” said Williams.
“I think AAS teaches me about the necessity of struggle, commitment and love. I’m amazed by the strategies of survival and artistry that African people, globally, have created and continue to create,” said Abdur-Rahman.
Asianna Hall, class of 21’, enjoyed the classes she was able to take in the African American Studies department because of the knowledge that she gained. It changed her perspective on the world and she hopes to pass this knowledge on to others in the future.
Despite nation-wide pressures from the federal government, the College has stood strong and is backing its African American studies program instead of giving in.
“I grew up in what some people call the ‘classic era of hip-hop.’ We used to say phrases like each one-teach one. What that meant to my generation was that you pass on the knowledge and skills that you learn. We were fighting against anti-intellectualism and exclusion and we didn’t even know it! I see this as central to the ethos of African American studies,” said Abdur-Rahman. “While we need strategies that respond to present day challenges, there is so much left to us by those who came before us.”
“The words of black people speak to my heart, speak to my history, speak to my children, speaks to my hopes, speak to my dreams and speak to my sorrows,” said Williams.
As the program continues to grow, more classes are being introduced that examine all sides of Black history. Some classes that are being introduced this spring include “African American Film,” “African American Hip Hop,” “Early African American History” and more. All of these classes further push the department's mission of creating culturally competent and well rounded students.
“My hope is that we have 50 more years, that we stand the test of time, and that we grow. I hope we can keep growing the major and attracting students to both the major and the minor. We help the College stand,” said Williams.
