Knowledge Bowl quizzes students on black history

On the last night of Black History Month, the black and white hands of the 2002 Black Knowledge Bowl contestants grasped buzzers as they waited alertly for the next question. Inside the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, all eyes shone wide as participants seized upon questions from the lectern of moderator James Mumford, Ph. D. \n"The night wasn't just about black history," co-program director Kenn Washington said. "It was a night of celebrating black accomplishments in American history. We want people to absorb this information and wonder why a lot of it isn\'t in their history books."\nAlthough the event was not held for the last two years, this year's bowl marked the twentieth anniversary of the Jeopardy-structured game in which six teams of students from five organizations flaunt their knowledge for the $300 grand prize.\nDespite bad weather the night before, Dana Chapman, a graduate assistant with the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, said she was amazed to see the 200-seat hall nearing capacity by the start of the event. \nFrom the beginning, the women of Black Student Union-Southside were well equipped.\n"We met once a week since November, and the girls studied for about six hours out of their week," said Doris Clark, the only IU graduate student coaching a Black Knowledge Bowl team. \nCompetition from the onset proved heated as BSU-Southside measured the competition. Ashley Boyle, a freshman, leaned over after the first match and whispered that the Minority Achievers Program would be tough to beat.\nWhen BSU-Southside took stage against the students of the Afro-American Studies Department, junior Kandice Franklin and teammates fired off answers, often before the questions were finished. BSU-Southside won their first contest 175-30.\n"I was nervous," Franklin said. "Yeah, this game is serious."\nTeammate Courtney Essett, a sophomore, disagreed. \n"No it's not, it's more fun," she said. \nAs the women of BSU-Southside went undefeated into the championship game against MAP, hardly a question was answered incorrectly on either side. Franklin's knowledge showed to its pinnacle. After three consecutive correct answers, she interrupted a fraction of Mumford's question with "Natalie Cole." \nA shocked audience member said, "Man, she's cheating." Mumford smiled and nodded in jest. \nThe diligent studies of BSU-Southside paid off. The clock sounded and the audience unleashed a collective "aww," acknowledging MAP's exciting comeback. Still, BSU won the final game 225-170. \nAfter BSU-Southside cradled their trophy with its golden inscription, "Black Knowledge Bowl Champions 2002," they took their championship photo and exchanged hugs.\nFranklin's exhausted smile stuck as she vowed she would participate again next year. Tate said the winnings would be donated to BSU-Southside to promote further understanding of black culture. \n"The most important thing to realize about tonight is that everyone needs to learn more black history," Tate said. \nDr. Mumford said these teams seemed the most prepared of any in his 14 years of moderating the event. He was not surprised by the amount of knowledge conveyed at the event. \n"The facts and the history of African Americans are obscure to many people," Mumford said. "But they are not obscure to people of our culture."\nMumford remembered when, 26 years ago, the Black Culture Center was a small fraternity house located on the same grounds as the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. He said even then people of all races were welcomed to learn more. \nDan Bulwinkle, a sophomore and one of two white participants, said he felt very comfortable competing in the event. \n"I would encourage anyone of any race to come out," Bulwinkle said. "I think it's important for everyone to understand black history. You might view life at IU in a different perspective." \nDr. Gloria J. Gibson, associate vice chancellor of Multicultural Affairs, gave the night's appropriate closing remarks. \n"This has been a fantastic Black History Month, and a fantastic end to it," Gibson said. "We welcome everyone to celebrate Black History Month everyday"