'The Black List' inspires interracial discussion
Tina Eaton
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
In an interview in 2005, Morgan Freeman said, "I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history." This is a quote Valdis Zalite, Coordinator of Tutorial Services at Southeast Missouri State University, would like every student to consider as we enter February.
Zalite will be hosting "Acknowledgement of the Black List," an event in which the HBO documentary "The Black List" will be shown at the University Center Program Lounge at 6:30 p.m. and followed with discussion. The two volumes of the documentary will be shown consecutively on Feb. 3 and Feb. 10.
"The Black List" portrays perspectives of famous African-Americans such as Al Sharpton, Sean Combs, Colin Powell, Maya Rudolph, Toni Morrison, Tyler Perry, and many others for a total of thirty-eight interviews within the two volumes.
Zalite, who has celebrated the holiday since childhood, urges students to participate in Southeast's Black History Month events. He has previously been involved with the Academic Support Center staff in planning activities for this important month. "After viewing the documentary and some of the struggles, strengths and unbelievable stories of overcoming obstacles," Zalite said about his inspiration to host this discussion, "it became obvious that this needs to be celebrated."
"Acknowledgement of the Black List" should be attended by any student interested in learning more about the African-American culture, its impact, and different viewpoints from their own. Zalite stresses the importance of attending his and other events going on in February - "These events are a great way to inspire and uplift, but also to make connections. In addition...the message from The Black List is universal and clear; we are all different as individuals, yet we each have the ability to do great things."
Zalite expects a good turn-out of students who are interested in thoughtful discussion. His hope is that all in attendance will share "a sense of accomplishment" and will not miss out on "an opportunity to connect with other students that may have very different or very similar thoughts."
For additional information about "Acknowledgement of the Black List," volumes one and two, contact Valdis Zalite at (573) 651-2273 or vzalite@semo.edu.
Zalite will be hosting "Acknowledgement of the Black List," an event in which the HBO documentary "The Black List" will be shown at the University Center Program Lounge at 6:30 p.m. and followed with discussion. The two volumes of the documentary will be shown consecutively on Feb. 3 and Feb. 10.
"The Black List" portrays perspectives of famous African-Americans such as Al Sharpton, Sean Combs, Colin Powell, Maya Rudolph, Toni Morrison, Tyler Perry, and many others for a total of thirty-eight interviews within the two volumes.
Zalite, who has celebrated the holiday since childhood, urges students to participate in Southeast's Black History Month events. He has previously been involved with the Academic Support Center staff in planning activities for this important month. "After viewing the documentary and some of the struggles, strengths and unbelievable stories of overcoming obstacles," Zalite said about his inspiration to host this discussion, "it became obvious that this needs to be celebrated."
"Acknowledgement of the Black List" should be attended by any student interested in learning more about the African-American culture, its impact, and different viewpoints from their own. Zalite stresses the importance of attending his and other events going on in February - "These events are a great way to inspire and uplift, but also to make connections. In addition...the message from The Black List is universal and clear; we are all different as individuals, yet we each have the ability to do great things."
Zalite expects a good turn-out of students who are interested in thoughtful discussion. His hope is that all in attendance will share "a sense of accomplishment" and will not miss out on "an opportunity to connect with other students that may have very different or very similar thoughts."
For additional information about "Acknowledgement of the Black List," volumes one and two, contact Valdis Zalite at (573) 651-2273 or vzalite@semo.edu.
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