Soul Food: 'What Would You Sit in For?'

Recognizing the troubled history of the nation while honoring those who suffered the oppression and discrimination ignited the national celebration of the African-American heritage. This celebration continued at the annual Soul Food Dinner held at St. Norbert College."We have come far [regarding racial inclusion], but we should also look how far more can we go," said Dr. Julianne Malveaux, distinguished author, commentator, activist, economist and president of the Bennett College for Women.

Malveaux was the keynote speaker at the thirteenth annual Soul Food Dinner in celebration of Black History Month, organized by St. Norbert's Black History Month Committee with the support and the initiative by Dr. Bola Delano-Oriaran, Zambia project volunteers and many other community sponsors.

Addressing the audience at the Soul Food Dinner, Malveaux spoke about the history of the African-American economic empowerment throughout her speech entitled "From Free Frank to Billionaire Bob: The History of African-American Empowerment."

"Our nation is about the notions of opportunity;" however "African-Americans participated in the economic system which was never fair to them," she said.

The program's emcee, Robert Kramer, associate professor of history with a passion and interest in African and Middle Eastern history, addressed the racial labels and categories that are "embedded in our thinking and culture."

President Kunkel - absent because of a prior commitment - welcomed the gathered crowd via a pre-recorded video and stated, "multiculturalism is not only a good practice, but it can be delicious, too."

Dressed in traditional African garb, Mary Oling-Sisay, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, expressed her gratitude to the many involved in planning the event and called upon all present to "commemorate the history of trials and tribulations" but to also "embrace the King's dream and have equality for all."

Shortly after an ABBA song performed by Lea Mae King, a student at the Wilder Elementary School in Green Bay, Zachary Parmeter '11, vice president for student relations, challenged all students to "extend their hand" to others who might not feel the sense of community on this campus, and try to practice Norbertine radical hospitality because "we are all more alike than we are different."

The meal consisted of fried southern chicken, fried catfish, red rice and many other delicacies. Afterwards Megan King '13 spoke about the plight of the Haitian people recently struck by the devastating earthquake and encouraged the audience to donate and give support to help the rebuilding efforts in the country.

Malveaux then commented on the U.S.'s treatment of Haiti before the disaster. "We have starved that country," she said and reminded all that the "U.S. has dirty hands in Haiti." But now, from policy perspective, the time has come to fully live up to the Marshall plan and protect the nations of Americas, argued Malveaux.

Malveaux also spoke about the need to recognize the voices not heard in the history.

"History belongs to those who have pens," said Malveaux, and many great women and men were overlooked when history was written.

In addition, Malveaux also doesn't hold a high opinion of Thomas Jefferson, one of the nation's founding fathers. "He talked about the freedom but slept with the slaves," she said, and she regrets that Sally Hemings - Jefferson's alleged lover with whom he had children - was not given an opportunity to tell her side of the story.

In connection with the speech's title, Malveaux spoke about the Frank McWortert - also known as the Free Frank - an American slave who bought his freedom, the freedom of his family and many others after the master changed the deal several times.

"But he kept playing the game, because he wanted his freedom legitimately," said Malveaux.

Bob Johnson, fondly referred to as Billionaire Bob - the first African-American billionaire - also kept playing the game and only by luck and chance managed to obtain a fortune and leverage the playing field in the industry.

Malveaux stated, "the African-Americans are the truest patriots America has," since they are the ones who persisted despite the obstacles on the way.

Commenting on the current political events, after visiting the White House prior to her trip to St. Norbert, Malveaux slammed the opposition party, calling it "racial" and "not principled."

"Healthcare helps us all . It is an American thing," argued Malveaux.

At the end of the speech, Malveux asked the audience "What would you sit-in for? [because] that is the real meaning of African-American heritage."

Black History Month celebration was initiated by Carter G. Woodson, the second African-American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, who chose February because it marked the birthdays of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass and former President Abraham Lincoln.

While Malveaux jokingly wondered, "How come we get the shortest month?" she praised Woodson as the figure "who believed we are all ignorant if we fail to capture African-American history."

The celebration at St. Norbert dates back to 1996.