Important conversations about racial injustice have been taking place for a really long time. As early as 1891, the Chrestomathean Literary Society at the West Virginia Conference Seminary considered this topic. On May 7, 1891 their meeting was devoted to a debate:
That the Negroes have a greater right to complain of ill treatment at the hands of the U.S. than the Indians. (The Negative Team Won) Conversations on important topics were being considered and discussed.
As a student at the college between 1974 and 1978, you would think I would have been tuned in. Sadly, I don’t remember much of it. I considered myself fairly enlightened. To my knowledge, I never did or said anything racist (if I did, I am truly sorry). I certainly did not consider myself to be part of the problem…which is part of the problem.
Recently I took a long look at what was being said throughout the years, and who was saying it. I found some amazing things. Some of them are very helpful in learning where we have been. Others clearly show that we still have more listening to do. Click here to get a list of links to articles from as far back as over a century ago, lots from the 1960s, 1970s, etc. Listen to these voices and truly hear them.
Below are a few examples of those who came to campus. There are many others from all walks of life.
Alex Haley spoke on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College on March 3-, 1971. This was five years after The Autobiography of Malcom X, which had been on the New York Times best seller list all that time, and which was one of Time Magazine’s 10 Most Notable books of the 1960s. It was while he was still writing Roots. In fact, the working title for that book was Before the Anger at the time he spoke in Wesley Chapel.
In 1969, Maya Angelou published her famous work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This book made history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African American Author. In 1972, she spoke in Wesley Chapel.
On March 31, 1979, Julian Bond spoke here. The topic of his lecture was: America What Next? At that time he was the senator from Georgia.
Wesley Chapel
Black Awareness Week
Benjamin Hooks was here in both 1982 and 1990.
Faculty and students have been involved in issues of justice in ways both large and small. Even so, there have been those who have hurt others and been hurt by them.
I am very proud of a group that has formed at West Virginia Wesleyan College. The Center for Restorative Justice is holding serious conversations, and has some wonderful plans. The leadership involves students, faculty, and staff. Some of the faculty and staff members are also alumni, and have had the benefit of learning from some amazing people along the way…such as Dr. Joseph Mow, Dr. Peter Bercovitz, Dr. John Warner, and many more.
Click here to learn more about this group and see how you can help.
As I have been reading these articles, listening to friends, and hearing from others on social media about things they have experienced, I find that I still have much to learn. For example, we donated to the Center for Restorative Justice recently, but did it anonymously. Not sure why! We want everyone to know that we are proud to help in this work. So, I am going to go back and donate once again…and sign it loud and proud.
