An interview with Uni's Sam Smith about what it means to be culturally competent in the age of hip hop

By David Boyle
Gargoyle co-editor-in-chief
Posted Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, The OG, news

As part of Black History Month, Uni's first-ever African-American Parent Involvement Day was held on Monday. Students, parents, alumni, and faculty members gathered for lunch in the school's North Attic to mark the event, organized by guidance counselor Sam Smith and Assistant Director of Development Monica Fountain. Taking the initiative on behalf of racial and cultural diversity is nothing new to Smith. He and his wife, Imani Bazzell, are heavily involved in community outreach activities. Among other things, Smith serves on the University of Illinois' Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee. Gargoyle co-editor-in-chief David Boyle recently sat down with Smith to discuss Black History Month and related issues.

What does Black History Month mean in its modern form?
It is a continual reminder that we live in a pluralistic society, that we have to consciously, proactively make room for everyone.

How did Black History Month start?
Carter G. Woodson was the main proponent. Originally the idea was not to focus on the contributions of blacks, but to teach and learn black history and emancipate the country from cultural racism. It started before anyone thought that there was black history and that black culture had a historical identity.

Critics of Black History Month, black critics, argue that Black History Month is black history told by white people — which means a focus on Martin Luther King Jr. instead of Malcolm X.
King spoke of things that are more revolutionary, but the more palatable King is a misunderstanding and a misrepresentation. We come from a democratic tradition — part of that tradition invites dissent. So these questions help examine and develop who we are. People would like to pretend that our society is colorblind and there is no need for a black history. Many Uni students are unaware of basic cultural knowledge. In the hip-hop generation you have to know what it means to be a Muslim woman and what it means to be a white male in a given context. This is what cultural understanding is about. This is a matter of cultural competence.

So what do you think about the people who used Coretta Scott King's funeral to promote their political agenda?
What I know about Lowery [Rev. Joseph Lowery, who spoke critically at the funeral of President Bush's policies] is that he is a warrior. He and Jimmy Carter [who also spoke at the funeral] wage peace relentlessly. It is the best testimony to her that they take every opportunity to talk about injustice. Lowery was clear and focused on current issues that have the potential to help issues that Coretta King worked to advance. Thank God there are people who will speak the truth to power.

People who defend Bush in this situation say that he deserves more respect, because he has put more black Americans into government positions that any president in history.
You could say George Washington gave black people jobs when he owned slaves. White supremacy is quite deep, and it serves to sustain itself. The critique of Condi and Powell [current and former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell] is that they serve the governing powers, which is not necessarily in the best interest of black people.

What can we do at Uni to further and advance diversity despite the distinct lack of black students?
We use the term diversity as a white institution term. We are talking about educational access and power. The question is how do we share the educational wealth in this school.

How do the new English courses [for juniors and seniors next year, such as African-American Literature] promote cultural understanding?
The classes can help address issues of climate for students. This question of diversity is that there should be a place at the table for everybody. They address issues of climate, and they will undoubtedly make our students smarter.