news unsung and sung heroes and heroines of black history february 17 2020 unsung and sung heroes and heroines of black history in honor of black history month we reflect on what it means to be african american and how stories of unsung heroes and heroines can inspire us today associate dean and professor of history violet showers johnson do you know about civil rights leaders such as ed nixon or ella baker what about malcolm xs contributions to the african american community often times these people in history can be overshadowed by the larger historical narrative of famous african american leaders in celebrating black history month the college of liberal arts is driven by its commitment to diversity inclusion and belonging for all peoples on campus associate dean and professor of history violet showers johnson demonstrates this commitment through her research johnson studies immigrants of african descent and the multifaceted understanding of african identity in the united states one of her academic intentions is to cast a larger light on the sung heroes and heroines in black history like kobe bryant and rosa parks to the unsung heroes and heroines like jo ann robinson and bayard rustin what then is the african american in order to address the unsung heroes and heroines in black history johnson illustrates the complicated question: what does it mean to be african american one of johnsons most well-read publications addresses this question and comments on the fluctuating nature of african american identity and belonging according to johnson being african american is multi-dimensional and epochal by epochal she means that the discourse on african american identity changes from period to period what it means to be african american during the era of jim crow is different than what it means to be african american in the era of black lives matter said johnson for example during the time of jim crow there were signs that stated colored only which negatively affected the african american conception of belonging in america the signs demonstratively showed that african americans did not belong in the larger american identity however in this current era while there may be no visual signs that state colored only the problem of systemic racism persists today the effects of covert racism are just as brutal as overt racism said johnson why it is important to remember from left to right: martin luther king jr and malcolm x the effects of jim crow laws are one of the many reasons why the civil rights movement occurred and why we celebrate african american identity through black history month johnson states that in remembering black history it is important to recognize black leaders and their pursuits of justice especially the lesser-known efforts of black heroes and heroines the intellectual world goes outside of the center and brings people in from the margins and into the academic conversation johnson said it is recognizing the people on the fringe whose stories have not been shared or told johnson states that there are many reasons why certain black role models and histories are more popular than the others for example martin luther king jr is more widely known than malcolm x because kings identity fits within the american status quo king was a christian advocated for nonviolence and was well-educated; however malcolm x was a muslim advocated for aggressive measures and was educated while in prison while both leaders were popular in their times king rose to prominence because of his ideology and background during the montgomery bus boycott that king came to lead the african american community recognized that it was pragmatic and effective to have leaders that fit certain perceived criteria of the larger american culture said johnson this demonstrates how heroes are evaluated measured and embraced by the majority culture of grave importance kobe bryant in life and in death a cultural figure is created in death the cultural icons life is noted revered and celebrated every group has its heroes and martyrs and death has a way of promoting and producing a cultural icon that transcends the grave said johnson when these tragic events occur in the black community there is a rise of collective spirituality and sense of belonging in the larger american framework kobe bryant is an example of an african american icon who fits several roles within the black community the larger american context and the global arena his death shows what it means to be african american and american kobe bryant is for all america but there are some icons that are just for the black community as they fit within our culture identity and sense of belonging said johnson blacks claim bryant as a role model as much as people from different cultures and countries in many ways black role models can cross cultural and racial boundaries because of their fit into the larger narrative a sense of belonging for johnson black history month shares the stories of well-known and lesser known leaders of the black community for her it goes beyond sharing the stories of peoples who have been marginalized but to embrace the endurance of african americans it is not just about addressing the victimization of african americans but to share stories about our accomplishments resilience and endurance in the midst of oppression as one of the associate deans of the college of liberal arts johnson has insight into the colleges priorities she believes that the college does not adopt a single story narrative but seeks to show the stories of all peoples within the curriculum the college of liberal arts is not just student-centered; it is people-centered said johnson the college of liberal arts is not just student-centered; it is people-centered said johnson she states that the college promotes and develops the betterment of humankind through top-tier research cross-cutting pedagogical methods and sharing the known and unknown stories and histories of all peoples we are committed to diversity and equity for excellence said johnson this includes a commitment to share the stories of unsung heroes and heroines and how they can inspire us today faculty news black history month johnson kobe bryant