Page 12 - Torch - January 2020

Under the Baobab Tree

“ A Struggle for Freedom and Human Rights: A Revisitation of Jim Crow and Apartheid”

The Montgomery Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta success in impacting public policies and grass-root/
Sorority, Inc. hosted the seminar “ A Struggle for Free- community organizing had an effect on the organizations
dom and Human Rights: A Revisitation of Jim Crow and founded in the movement for freedom, human, and civil
Apartheid” on February 22, 2020 at the Fortitude Building rights in the Caribbean and South America. He spoke
from 10 am-12 pm as a showcase event for Black History specifically to its link in the Grenadian Revolution. Dr.
Month. The seminar is the first in a two-part series which Balla Kieta, Alabama State University (Professor of Politi-
comprises “Under the Baobab Tree “a multigenerational cal Science) ended the forum with his insight on the
cultural forum designed to place a particular focus on is- struggle for civil and human rights, and freedom as a na-
sues related to Africa and the African diaspora. As Inter- tive of Cote d’Ivoire, Africa. He spoke on the psyche of
national Awareness and Involvement is one of Delta Sig- both those oppressed and the leaders of the civil rights
ma Theta’s five point programmatic thrusts, this forum and apartheid movements. Through a series of shared
uses history, sociology, and political science as a means observations and points he showed the impact of psyche
to focus on policies and their implications. Sponsored by on each of the movements successes and failures. All
the International Awareness and Involvement Committee, panelists contributed astute observations on the material
the “Under the Baobab Tree” forums address education, others presented from the framework of their back-
a core area of the International Awareness and involve- grounds and experiences. Dr. Henry Findlay, Tuskegee
ment, which is vital to composing sound public policy University (Retired Professor, Asst. Dean, and Director of
whether at home or abroad. Continuing Education) kept the series of mini-lectures on
time and track in addition to moderating the audience
The forum’s two-hour part one seminar consisted of mini-
lectures, delivered by topic-specific, expert professors, question and answer period for this knowledge-enriching,
and discussion of each presentation after on the resulting immersive experience.
policies and their implications. Dr. Steven Gish, Auburn This event was designed to share perspectives from all
University Montgomery (Professor of History) began the over the world and to prepare our members and the com-
panel with an in- depth presentation on apartheid and munity-at-large, through dissemination of information.
related personal experiences of meeting Nelson Mandela The forum’s goals were participants being better-
while researching a Tuskegee University graduate who informed; increasing understanding; community engage-
was vital in the struggle for freedom and civil rights in ment; to stimulate participation in the establishment of
South Africa. Next, Dr. Godfrey Vincent, Tuskegee Uni- public policy that directly impacts the most vulnerable
versity (Professor of History) shared a comparative study among us; and to highlight issues and provide solutions
of the American Civil Rights movement and the move- for problems in communities world-wide. Our panel of
ment against Apartheid in South Africa through highlight- professors and facilitator consisted of representatives
ing significant events in each movement illustrating their from five different countries.
parallels in timing, strategies, and movement issues. Members of the International Awareness and involvement
With her focus on the importance of women in the strug- committee were recognized for their hard work on the
gle for freedom and human rights, Dr. Vivian Carter, slate of events the committee has hosted in the 2019-
Tuskegee University (Professor of Sociology, Head of the 2020 sororal year. They are listed as follows: Shakita
Department of Psychology and Sociology) and Montgom- Brooks Jones, Co-Chair; Sharon L. Samuel Co-Chair;
ery Alumnae Chapter member delivered a rousing mini- Constance Belser-Quinn; Vivian Kelley; Robette Hayden
lecture. It detailed the role and importance of women and King; Robyn Lindsey; Antoinette Robinson; and Ladonna
their organizations in the suffrage, civil and human rights, Rudolph. International Awareness and Involvement com-
and apartheid movements while connecting each move- mittee-sponsored, international students from Alabama
ment through the lens of consciousness. Ending with a State University and Trenholm State Technical College
were in attendance and were recognized. Recognition of
message of hope, she reminded participants of the con- all visiting students included those visiting from Tuskegee
nection of all peoples by tracing our mitochondrial DNA University, Department of Sociology. Hot beverages, wa-
connection back through its scientific roots. Dr. Kurt ter, and a variety continental breakfast items were provid-
Young, Clark Atlanta University (Chair, Department of ed to sustain participants as they gathered “Under the
Political Science), spoke on the role of the American Baobab Tree” for the community educational event.
Black Panther movement in the struggle for freedom, hu-
man and civil rights. He showed how the movement’s