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The African American Experience in Missouri lecture Series Kicks-Off

On Wednesday night, MU hosted the first of a series of lectures, that aim to educate individuals on the ins and outs of race relations.

 

The 18-month speaker series hosted by MU’s Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity was created in the wake of the race-related events that took place on the University of Missouri’s campus last fall.

“The scholars and subject-matter experts invited to speak will offer the University of Missouri community, as well as the public, an opportunity to expand their knowledge about the African American experience,” said Chuck Henson, interim vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity, and equity. “We believe this look into the past is essential as we work together to write the next chapter of our shared history.”

Keona Ervin, is an MU history professor who was the Master of Ceremonies at Wednesday night’s event. She said this lecture series will be all encompassing and cover a number of topics.

“These presentations are on everything from slavery and the meaning of race to urban decline and the rise of jazz culture are an essential step in continuing the dialogue on our campus that began this past fall,” Ervin said.

Diane Mutti Burke, an associate professor of history at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, gave Wednesday night’s inaugural lecture entitled Contesting Slavery: Enslaved Missourians’ Enduring Struggle for Self-Determination.

She said acquiring a knowledge and understanding of what has happened in the past, will be beneficial in helping combat race relations in the future.

“We haven't really dealt with the problem. We haven’t. We haven't as a nation, we haven't as a state, and until we can really face the past, and all of its horrible warts, I think its going to be difficult to move forward,” Burke said.

Burke’s presentation provided a foundation for the lecture series by giving audience members insight into the lives of African Americans who were enslaved in mid-Missouri.

Ervin said she hopes the lecture series will help the university find a way to move forward after last fall’s events.

“That is the work, right? Our work is to provide a kind of foundation for thinking about this history in very complex ways and learned ways. And then in a sense kind of grapple together with that means. What barring does history have on present? I think that’s something…that’s the next endeavor,” Ervin said.

The series’ next lecture will be held on March 23rd, and will look at the role violence had on enslaved woman in a presentation called #Say Her Name: Black Woman and State Violence in the Case of Missouri versus Celia, A Slave.