Philosopher, activist and intellectual Dr. Cornel West visiting Humboldt State University
Dr. Cornel West will be at Humboldt State University Friday, Feb. 7 to celebrate Black Liberation Month as the keynote speaker of a series of events.
West advocates for race, gender and class equality. West’s social and political activism goes back to his days at John F. Kennedy high school where he marched for civil rights and protested against the lack of diversity and black studies classes offered at the school.
West went on to become class president of his high school before attending both Harvard and Princeton Universities. He is known for infusing the world with academic inference, intelligence and philosophical reflection.
The event is hosted by HSU’s African American Center for Academic Excellence and HSU Brothers United.
West’s lecture will focus on topics from his 1993 book, “Race Matters.” Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room.
The first 100 students through the door with an ID will receive a free copy of “Race Matters.” Additional copies can be found at Northtown Books at 947 H St. in Arcata.
Tickets are free and available at the University Center Ticket Office at HSU, which can be reached at (707) 826-3928.
HSU’s bilingual monthly newspaper highlights and represents minority groups
Lack of diversity in newsrooms across the nation perpetuates the lack of representation in stories. According to the Jelani Cobb from the Guardian, it is all too often that the demographics of news writers look nothing like the communities they cover.
Humboldt State University’s bilingual newspaper, El Leñador, is changing that one monthly issue at a time.
“This paper is so special because it’s part of taking back that narrative,” Jose Herrera, El Leñador’s layout editor, said. “We are producing the paper. We are first generation, Latinx, African American, LGBTQ or Asian. We’re writing our own stories.”
El Leñador held a panel discussion Nov. 7 in the Goodwin Forum as part of the week-long Campus & Community Dialogue on Race event. The student-run publication features under-represented stories of the school and community.
Attendees of the CDOR event listen to editors speak about the paper’s production process. | Photo by Chelsea Wood
El Leñador’s staff is not limited to those who can speak both Spanish and English, or specific journalism majors; all HSU students are welcome and encouraged to contribute.
“For me it’s been a life changing experience,” Vanessa Flores, El Leñador’s editor-in-chief, said. “It’s very important for students to pick up newspapers. Not just ours, but the other publications on campus.”
Flores stressed the importance of student journalism. Without it, campus stories would remain unrepresented since local media isn’t as connected to a campus story as student journalists are.
Over the past six years El Leñador has covered under-represented communities and continues to carve out a space for minority narratives within Humboldt-based media.
The work by the student-run publication reverberates throughout the secluded community. El Leñador has forged ahead of larger, local news publications by connecting with its audience more intimately.
“This paper is so special because it’s part of taking back that narrative. We are producing the paper. We are first generation, Latinx, African American, LGBTQ or Asian. We’re writing our own stories.”
Jose Herrera
The editorial board reminded community members at the discussion about the importance of continuing to cover underrepresented stories.
Cali Fournier, an HSU student, attended the panel discussion and believes that informative, speaking panels are important to have.
“Racism is a big deal still to this day,” Fournier said. “You should be judged by who you are not by the color of your skin.”
The El Leñador staff assume multiple roles within the publication. Producing the paper monthly gives students access to a hands-on learning environment, and staff are able to expand their passions whether their skills are in writing, video, audio or art.
“As a monthly paper and as a student-run paper, it’s really a big training ground for students,” Silvia Alfonso, El Leñador’s managing editor, said.
El Leñador enables its contributors to bring different perspectives to the table. Its staff encouraged the panel attendees to contribute to the publication.
Jack Surmani, an HSU alumnus, believes in the message El Leñador emits and thinks the the commitment of the students behind the publication is evident.
“They know why they’re doing it and have a passion and commitment for being better journalists,” Surmani said.
The 18th annual commencement of International Education Week at Humboldt State occurred last week from Feb. 5 through Feb. 9.
The commencement began with an annual flag ceremony procession that snaked its way from the Feuerwerker House, up around the quad and meandered its way towards the library – all to the beat of an improvised drum line.
The procession was initially just members of the Global Connections Club and international students, but bystanders were invited to select a flag to represent in the parade by Center for International Studies study abroad coordinator, Christiana Frye.
Ana Nihalani, an exchange student from Pakistan, was excited at the prospect of showing off the parade on her Snapchat story.
“It looks so cool!” Nihalani remarked excitedly when shown the video taken of her of the procession. “All of us walking together with our flags on from all over the place!”
Kate O’Connor, president of the Global Connections Club, touched on the purpose of the group as well as the importance of the week itself.
“When international students come to HSU, either for study abroad or the duration of their education here, they can join the club.” O’Connor said. “Along with some domestic students from around here, we all get together and form connections and friendships and volunteer together for events like this.”
The keynote address of this year’s international education week was given by Dr. Teresa Wright, department chair and professor of political science at CSU Long Beach on Feb. 6.
Dr. Wright’s lecture was called “Politics in China: Good Governance Gone Bad?” and focused on the misconceptions many have when it comes to foreign policy.
Wright encouraged to reject any prejudice.
“We need to view regime type as a spectrum, not just democratic equates good, undemocratic equates bad.”
Wright condemned certain actions of the Chinese government over the last few decades. She emphasized that it was fair to be critical of their governance, but not simply because of typical Americanized prejudice that “only a liberal democracy can fulfill functions of good governance.”
The international film festival screening was held in the Kate Buchanan room on Feb. 7. A variety of foreign student-directed and produced films were made available by Humboldt International Film Fest, a student-run film festival organization founded in 1967.
The winner of the 2017 festival was “Memory” directed by Ilirjan Himaj.
“Memory” focused on an elderly Albanian man with dementia trying to find his way home after setting out to buy a toy for his visiting grandson. Despite being only 18 minutes long, the film was profoundly sad and several of the attendants remarked on this aspect when it was revealed that it was this year’s winner.
If you are interested in participating in next year’s International Education Week, are interested in future international program event or thinking about studying abroad, you can visit the Center for International Programs website or Feuerwerker House on campus for more information.
The African American Center for Academic Excellence and Housing & Residence Life brought Mardi Gras to Humboldt State on Feb. 9.
Mask making took place at 7 p.m., and then DJ C4 took over the dance floor an hour later.
To Wayne Brumfield, interim vice president of Student Affairs at Humboldt State, the Louisiana tradition is about “Mardi Gras family and having a good time.”
“I thought it’d be fun to introduce a Mardi Gras type event to Humboldt State University,” Brumfield said. “Mardi Gras is one of those events that is fun. You have a chance to eat some food and dance, so I thought it’d be good for our student body.”
Corliss Bennett, director of the Cultural Centers for Academic Excellence, had a hard time transitioning to HSU. Like many students, she mostly had to rely on on-campus activities to have some fun.
“In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to bring New Orleans to Humboldt,” Bennett said.
Daniel Erb, a biology major at HSU, works for housing and helped put together the Mardi Gras program.
“I really hope that residents can socialize and have a good time,” Erb said. “This event is a good way to show how different celebrations are celebrated around the world.”
Josh Lequin, a business and management major, wished there would’ve been more advertising about this event, because he had a great time.
“I made a mask got some beads and threw them at people who poured themselves out on the dance floor,” Lequin said. “The people who went to the event where the people who wanted to have a good time.”
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