Forum discusses racial stereotypes

In light of the racial stereotypes and misunderstandings that exist in the United States, the University community took time over the weekend to discuss the perceived role of African-American men in today's society. The two-day symposium, sponsored by the Afro-American Studies Program, brought together more than 50 scholars, students and members of the community to "look at the state of African-American men in society, and the ways in which they are imagined in our culture," according to Program Coordinator Gale Ellison. The keynote address, entitled "African-American Men and Newt Gingrich's Contract with America," was given by Leon Higginbotham, the Public Service Professor of Jurisprudence at Harvard University, and a former University Law School professor. He shared an open letter which he wrote to Gingrich explaining that he believes "the weak and poor will suffer more than any time since the Great Depression" as a result of Gingrich's reforms. Higginbotham said the Contract does not consider the poor or the children of the country, adding that it is up to African Americans to create a contract they think America needs. He encouraged African Americans at the University to take action, asking, "If you don't do it at Penn, who will?" Higginbotham explained that the black community must resist polarization, adding that they must get involved with "non-African Americans" in order to make a difference. He concluded by saying that although he sympathizes with and applauds "the black man," the community must continue to think of the future. The symposium continued with several panel discussions. On Friday night, "Issues of Style in the Construction of Black Masculinity" were addressed. Saturday included discussions dealing with "African American Men, Society, and the Nature of Work," and "African American Men and the Business of Sports: The Focus of Aspiration and a Source for Role Models." Arthur Flannigan-St. Aubin also gave an address, entitled "The Black Male Body: Theorizing Testicular and Testerical Masculinity." Ellison said she felt the symposium was a success. "The symposium was very successful," she said. "The panels were well received by the audience. The audience members were very engaged in the topics being addressed, and with the panelists." Fourth-year history graduate student Herman Graham, who attended the symposium, agreed. "I think the conference did a good job of speaking to a diverse audience that included scholars and community activists," he said.

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