Purdue News

January 23, 2004

Purdue University experts are available to talk about a variety of issues related to Black History Month, such as poverty, W.E.B. DuBois, black women and Huey P. Newton.

1. What would W.E.B. DuBois say about race relations today?

2. Purdue professor: The arts create reality for black women

3. Black History Month celebration still needed

4. Expert breaks myths about black poverty in America

5. Expert discusses why black history stays secondary in history books

6. The life and death of black radical Huey P. Newton

What would W.E.B. DuBois say about race relations today?

To measure how far race relations in America have come, it's important to consider the work of W.E.B. DuBois, a 19th century scholar and fighter for equal rights, says a Purdue University sociologist.

"Given his focus on economic improvement and self-help, especially in his book 'The Philadelphia Negro,' DuBois would be pleased with the growing black middle class and upper classes," says Sandra Barnes, assistant professor of sociology and African-American studies. "He would consider the growing number of black entrepreneurs a success."

DuBois was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Barnes, whose research interests include the life and contributions of DuBois, recently co-wrote the introduction for the reissuing of his 1903 book "The Negro Church."

"Research suggests that DuBois would be most concerned about the continued racial intolerance in today's society that often leads to segregation, racism and inequality," Barnes says. "Despite the many improvements and obstacles our nation has overcome, DuBois would say we still have a long way to go."

CONTACT: Barnes, (765) 496-2226, barness@soc.purdue.edu

Purdue professor: The arts create reality for black women

More writers and artists need to portray black women as human beings rather than overt sexual beings, says a Purdue University African-American studies expert.

"How black women are depicted in books and movies has had a profound effect on society's impressions of them," says Venetria K. Patton, professor of English and director of the African American Studies and Research Center. "Too often, they are depicted as being overly sexual, a throwback to slavery.

"Slave owners, who raped or forced these women to serve as their concubines, tried to rationalize their behavior by depicting them as promiscuous and immoral. That has carried over even into today's literature and Hollywood portrayals."

Historically, African-American women authors, such as Frances Harper and Pauline Hopkins, have a history of trying to rescue the image of black women through their literature, she says. Today, some artists, such as songwriter Indie Arie and poet Lucille Clifton, have positively celebrated the black woman's character, as well as her body.

"Still, in fashion magazines and music videos, when black models are used, you often see animalistic sexuality associated with black women," Patton says.

CONTACT: Patton, (765) 494-2151, vpatton@sla.purdue.edu

Black History Month celebration still needed

A Purdue University African-American studies expert says Americans must not give in to the political pressures to erase cultural heritage months and academic programs.

"People question if we need to have a Black History Month or a Hispanic Heritage Month," says Venetria K. Patton, associate professor of English and director of the African American Studies and Research Center. "We are not yet to a point where we can abandon these months that recognize neglected cultures and histories. For example, many races and cultures are not yet woven into kindergarten through 12th-grade education. This monthlong celebration is a start for people, including teachers, to begin thinking about black culture and history all the time."

Patton also can talk about the history of Black History Month, which started in 1926 as Negro History Week. In 1976 it became known as Black History Month.

CONTACT: Patton, (765) 494-2151, vpatton@sla.purdue.edu

Expert breaks myths about black poverty in America

Poverty is color-blind, says a Purdue University sociologist.

"There is a longstanding stereotype in this country that equates being poor with being black," says Sandra Barnes, who is completing a book about poverty in Gary, Ind., called "The Cost of Being Poor." "The truth is there are more whites who are poor than blacks."

In 2001, more than 11 percent of the U.S. population lived in poverty. Barnes says that even though more whites are poor, a disproportionate percentage of blacks experience poverty. African-Americans comprise 12 percent to 13 percent of the total U.S. population, but make up about 25 percent of the poor. About 10 percent of the poor are white, about 20 percent are Hispanic and about 10 percent are Asian. These numbers represent individuals who identify themselves as a single race in the U.S. Census. The other 35 percent are people identified as multiracial.

Barnes' research and book focuses on poverty in the Gary, Ind., area, which includes Merrillville and East Chicago.

"There also is a stereotype that the poor do not work," Barnes says. "This is not true. The vast majority of the poor, in general, and poor African-Americans, in particular, are working poor, which means they are employed but do not earn enough to live on."

This myth is largely perpetuated because there is a lack of communication between scholars and the general public, Barnes says.

"Academics need to work more closely with the mass media to make statistics and research findings available," she says.

"The topic of the working poor is a social problem among all groups – blacks, whites and Hispanics. Studies show that most poor have a strong work ethic. The question remains: Why can't they attain a good living wage?"

Barnes suggests that America can reduce the number of working poor through initiatives that increase low-cost housing and provide living wages.

CONTACT: Barnes, (765) 496-2226, barness@soc.purdue.edu

Expert discusses why black history stays secondary in history books

Just because the faces of America's founding fathers are not diverse does not mean black history should be secondary or separate from American history, says a Purdue University history expert.

"Unless the policy, business or treaty being researched involves African-Americans, it is possible to write history without thinking about the impact or input from minorities on the issue," says Susan Curtis, an expert in American studies. "The way American history has been written helps perpetuate the divisions in American society that treat black and minority history as secondary."

Many stories about cultural history, such as drama, literature, music, opera and journalism, do not include significant African-American figures or contributions. Curtis, who is an expert on black performers in the 1920s, says this is partly because of their exclusion from important performance venues or eligibility for awards. For example, early 20th century stories on ragtime fail to include any black composers or performers, even though black Americans were involved.

"The resistance to multiculturalism is as recent as the 1980s and 1990s when Congress railed against the new U.S. history teaching standards that focused on contributions made by minorities to the development of the nation," Curtis says. "The unspoken, though sometimes outspoken, subtext was that those issues were secondary to the real historical developments like the Constitution, wars and treaties, which were largely the handiwork of white men."

CONTACT: Curtis, (765) 494-4159, curtis@purdue.edu

The life and death of radical Huey P. Newton

Even though Huey P. Newton has been dead for almost 15 years, his legacy and message still play a prominent role in American culture, says a Purdue University political science expert.

"You hear about Huey P. Newton and the Black Panthers, which he helped create at the age of 24, in rap music and movies," says Judson L. Jeffries, who wrote "Huey P. Newton: The Radical Theorist." "Despite Newton's tragic death, his legacy lives on, and it's important for people to understand his life, as well as the impact that he and the organization he co-founded has had on America."

Jeffries can talk about the social programs, such as breakfasts for poor schoolchildren and meals for the elderly, which Newton helped create. He also can talk about the life of Newton, from his youth to his pursuit of higher education, until his death in 1989 stemming from drug addiction.

"All people, especially during Black History Month, can learn from him and his organizational tactics, such as creating your own destiny," Jeffries says. "Newton's basic message is that there is no excuse that should keep people from trying to effect change."

CONTACT: Jeffries, (765) 494-7604, Jeffries@polsci.purdue.edu