A Day of Reflection: Malcolm X Day at the Diversity Achievement Center

For the anniversary of Malcolm X's birthday on Thursday May 19th, 2011, seats in the Diversity Achievement Center of Linn-Benton Community College filled quickly. Faces of varied backgrounds and ages chatted, and some waited patiently. An outspoken young man wearing a t-shirt adorned with the strong face of Malcom X gave an introduction, and played a video short titled "Separate But Equal: Civil Rights Movement's Greatest Hits."

Malcom X, a fierce advocate for the rights of African Americans, was born on May 19th, 1925 and was assassinated in 1965. Phillip Arterbury was one of those people Malcom X stood for. He and Arterbury shared the same birthday, and happened to be someone that Arterbury identified with.

Arterbury, by the age of 19, had been drafted into service for the Vietnam War to fight on the front lines. He was shot three times. He was awarded three purple hearts, a bronze and a silver star. In 2005 he passed away, and would have been 65 years old this year.

Arterbury’s sister is none other than LBCC’s very own Jeanette Emerson, who works in the Diversity Acheivement Center. If you have visited the DAC on campus, chances are that it was Emerson that welcomed you as you signed in.

In the Vietnam War, a war often touted as a war without merit; Emerson's brother dealt with the heat of gunfire, and the ignorant belittling of racist fellow soldiers. Additionally, he saw many African American men lose their lives on the battle field.

Emerson herself, at age 17 during the summer of 1965, was a witness to the military tanks rolling down her neighborhood street towards the Watts Riots that occurred not too far from her own Los Angeles neighborhood.  Growing up in California, Emerson and her brother weren't told which school  to attend, or what kids to play with for the shade of their skin. In the Southern states of America, however, this was not the case. Though racial segregation in schools was illegal, many states and areas in the south refused to comply.

Emerson, who shared her experience with those in the room said:

"Everyone was saying the same thing; We're tired and we want our rights!"... "I lived through that. I'm glad I did because I can see what it brought through to you."

Ricky Zipp is the ambitious young in man the Malcolm X t-shirt who introduced Malcom X Day in the DAC. Zipp is a student involved in Student Life and Leadership, as well as the DAC at LBCC.
Photos and article clippings displayed in an exhibit created by Zipp, began with Brown Vs. Board of Education of 1954, and culminated with the Vietnam War. Also displayed were some of Arterbury's letters sent from Vietnam to his mother during his nearly four years of service.


Zipp, who aspires to be a Highschool History teacher, said he was inspired by what he learned about Malcolm X.

“He was someone who was constantly evolving his thought; he was constantly evolving his behavior.”

Zipp made Malcom X Day at the DAC come to life, because he felt that Malcolm X was a figure who wasn't as celebrated in comparison with for example; Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks.  Malcolm X had a "By Any Means Necessary" approach, while King had a "peaceful protest" strategy.
 Zipp said of his experience with education about the Civil Rights Movement:

“There was no acknowledgement of the negative- only of the positive.”

In part, Zipp's message to the approximately 40 persons in attendance was:

“It’s a representation of society- not just the Civil Rights Movement.” And, “It’s all about individual motivation...If you do not get active in your education, you are not going to get a proper education...Malcolm X Day is an example in itself of active education."

Towards the end of the presentation, Earlean Wilson Huey, who works for Oregon State University in the Ujima Education Office, presented a clip from “All Power to the People,“ a documentary about The Black Panthers. After the video a discussion was held. To the differences in attitudes of activists at the time, Wilson Huey said:

"Really, everyone is working towards community."

One woman in the audience spoke up and talked about living through the 1960s. She spoke of the importance of being aware of what is happening around us; as many today think of the fight for civil rights as a time in our past; but one never knows when a call to take a stand may come again.

As Malcolm X said:

“If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.”



At A Glance:
Malcom X Day, created by Ricky Zipp, is an annual event at the DAC.
This year was its 2nd running.  


Upcoming Event at the Diversity Achievement Center:


Juneteenth Celebration- A Celebration of Freedom
Friday, June 3rd 2011 from 11:30am- 1:30pm.


For more DAC information:


Phone #: 541-917-4461
email: dac@linnbenton.edu
DAC hours: M-F, 9am-3pm

Rick Borsten Reads for LBCC Valley Writers Series

"For what you're about to hear, don't blame my voice- blame my character."

With a gruff twang true to the lumberjack character from his unpublished novel "Insane for the Light", author Rick Borsten belted out a logger's chanty titled "Daylight in the Swamp" for his audience during Linn-Benton Community College's Valley Writers Series on Thursday, April 28.  His audience, made of students and local writers; young and old alike; delighted in providing the rhythm.  A refreshing moment filled with smiles, laughter and applause filled the room when Borsten finished his A capella performance.

"Insane for the Light",  is placed during the gold rush of 1851 alongside a former lumberjack turned hunter who comes upon an enormous Sequoia by way of dealing with a grizzly bear. The hunter is fast taken with the challenge of conquering the tree, an unknown giant rooted in the forest of the Sierra Mountains.

Whatever the value of his singing talent may be, a time ago- you may not have been able to "blame" Borsten's voice at all.

During the summer after his senior year as a college student at UNC-Chapel Hill, Borsten took an elbow to his vocal chords during a basketball game; breaking his larynx. He had his sights set on being a teacher; yet suddenly could not speak. From this accident's imposed silence, Rick Borsten found his voice as an author. He switched his career focus towards writing.

Borsten, a long time Corvallis resident and finalist for the Oregon Book Award in 1987,for his book The Great Equalizer, also read from another novel "Wobbly In the Buddha Field"  which is set in Corvallis, Oregon. The character he highlighted for his audience- a towering statured former OSU sports player.  Dolores drives a school bus, and fights environmental and social injustices.

The Valley Writers Series is put on by LBCC's Arts and Communication Division and highlights a different author each term.
Attendance of the series is free and open to students and community members alike. From its mission statement:

"The Series purposes are to stimulate creative writing among area students, to enhance literary awareness in our community, and to encourage Oregon writers."

Borsten, who has read for the Valley Writing series in previous years, after telling of the challenges posed within the publishing process to the writers who had inquired of it, said:

"Having a book in your hand once it's been published- I've got to say is a real rush."

At A Glance!

Info for Next Reading:

WHO: Jed Wyman, Corvallis Author and Instructor of Composition

WHEN: Wednesday, May 11th @ 12pm

WHERE: Cascade View/Alsea/Calapooia room, CC203/205, LBCC Albany campus

Have questions or suggestions about events?

Contact:

Lucette Wood, wood@linnbenton.edu

Or

Jane White, whitej@linnbenton.edu