African-American Studies moves on

A panel of graduate students in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies held a public forum Wednesday to discuss the goals of their department following the demotion of Departmental Chair John H. Stanfield. \nAAADS graduate student Byron Thomas said the department will remain united.\n"Hopefully we will be able to continue to draw scholars and faculty who are at the top of their field and realize our vision," Thomas said.\nStanfield was removed from his position Aug. 26 by College of Arts and Science Dean Kumble R. Subbaswamy. IU professor of history and Associate Dean Michael McGerr was appointed as interim chairman for the department, while Stanfield will continue to teach at IU.\nWithin the AAADS, however, Stanfield was seen as the redeemer of one of the country's most respected African American studies programs.\n"Last year was a rebirth," Thomas said. "We gained new vitality and new vision."\nFollowing his appointment as chairman, Stanfield made several changes in the departmental curriculum, said Professor Valerie Grim, a colleague of Stanfield's.\n"Dr. Stanfield made the program more inclusive," Grim said. "He got people involved, created committees and encouraged an understanding of what our program is all about."\nThomas said the decision brings some uncertainty to the department's productivity. Grim said the demotion will diminish the department's ability to contribute in the community.\n"It will be difficult to keep up our vigilance," Grim said. "(Stanfield) had more energy than all of our graduate students and faculty put together."\nThe panel also discussed many issues facing the African-American Studies Program, including the "marginalization of people of color."\n"IU is liberal in mind, but very conservative in practice," graduate student Keon Gilbert said. "The dismissal of Dr. Stanfield could be taken by some as a sign of marginalization nationwide."\n-- Contact staff writer Jake Rossman at jrossman@indiana.edu.