Black Scholars Collective hosts discussion tonight

The Black Scholars Collective is hosting a program titled "Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud!" at 8 p.m. tonight at the Willkie Residence Center to celebrate February's Black History Month.\nThe program will feature discussion about the Black Panther movement as it relates to what it means to be black in America now. \n"We decided we should gather people with degrees and form a system of support for the black community," Singleton said.\nThe Black Scholars Collective promotes black students' activity and awareness.\nGraduate students Stephanie Singleton and Kimberly Stanley started the organization in 2005 because they said they witnessed large numbers of minority students leave campus without degrees.\n"Every time we put on a program, it's an acknowledgement and testament of being a part of the black community," Stanley said. \nBoth chairs were told by students that IU did not offer enough support services for minorities and did not have a prominent black community. The pair formed the Black Scholars Collective to start a support system through the black community. \nGraduate student and Black Scholars Collective member Leeanne Bowen-Atkins said lack of participation in the community is sometimes from fear of representing something associated with race. \n"Being active in the black community on campus is not smiled upon," Bowen-Atkins said. \nSingleton said she had a "regional culture shock" when she came to Indiana from her home in New York City. Singleton said she recalls a time when she saw a man come into a downtown Bloomington restaurant wearing a shirt with the Ku Klux Klan on it; underneath the picture the shirt read "Boys in the Hood."\nSingleton said she is reminded she is in Indiana because of racism that she sees everywhere she goes. \n"Bloomington may be the liberal Mecca of Indiana, but there is still a lot of work that has to be done," Singleton said.\nFor this reason, Singleton and Stanley encourage students to recognize black awareness throughout the year.\n"Be aware of issues around you -- not only in February, but every day of every month," Stanley said.\nThe group generally meets once a month and corresponds through e-mail to keep members up-to-date on new program ideas.