George:

Although I am an African American, not an African American intellectual, certainly not an academician, my experience as an attendee at the University of Virginia's (U.VA's) Carter G. Woodson Institute's 25th Annivesary was highly rewarding.

But before discussing my experience during the institute's anniversary symposium, allow me to mention two things:

(1) Even though I read Charlottesville's daily newspaper and two weekly newspapers, I saw no announcement of the institute's symposium, but thanks to the george@loper.org news media [see note, below], one day before the symposium, there was an announcement which informed me that the institute's symposium would be held on April 20 and 21, 2007.

(2) A word about Carter G. Woodson. The Virginia-born founder for whom and in whose honor the institute is named was also the founder of Black History Week in 1926, which in 1970 became Black History Month that is observed by African Americans and some other Americans during the month of February, the month chosen by Woodson in honor of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass whose birth dates are in February. Woodson declared that "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." He provided inspiration for establishing Africa and African American studies in the university.

The Woodson Institute at U.VA. like similar institutes at other universities have and continue to challenge the historically white universiies to place the African American experience at the center of their teaching and research programs. At U.VA. the Woodson Institute offers pre- and postdoctoral degrees and visiting scholarship programs in addition to programs for undergraduate studies.

The symposium was titled, "Celebrating the Legacy, Scholarship and Future of the Woodson Institute." Not being an academician, as I indicated earlier, has by no means caused me to have merely foolhardy interest in the practice and work of African American intellectuals employed at our universities. I am interested in their advocacy, teaching curricula, research and writings that focus on the needs, problems and challenges African Americans face.

As an individual, from time to time, beginning with my leadership for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and before when I protested segregation in the Army where I was a soldier during the Korean War and my involvement in the Rodney King Riot as a seeker of justice for him and other victims of police brutality fifteen years ago this month (April). Through my advocacy and protest, mostly, one person protest, that included picketing, talks, formal and informal, and writing, I have endeavored to encourage African American intellectuals, W.E.B. Du Bois's "Talented Ten" to provide significant leadership that will help promote the African American agenda. I am delighted to observe that some of them are doing that.

So for me to have the privilege to attend the institute's symposium, in my back yard, so to speak, was truly gratifying and rewarding. On the Saturday, when I attended the symposium, there were three panels, with each comprised of U.VA. faculty, and former Woodson Institute Fellows who talked about the 25-year history of the institute, Africa American studies at UVa and other topics that included civil rights, the Africa diaspora and trends in Africa American studies.

The panelists discussing "Africa and the Diaspora Across the Disciplines" were the chair: Marlon Ross (English, University of Virginia), Kandioura Drame (French, University of Virginia), Melvin Butler (Music, University of Virginia) and Robert Fatton (Politics, University of Virginia).

The panelists discussing "Civil Rights: "Where Do We Go From Here?" were the chair: Sandy Alexander (Literature, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, former Woodson Fellow), Mildred Robinson (University of Virginia Law School), Patricia Sullivan (History, University of South Carolina and W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, Harvard University, former Woodson Fellow), Waldo Martin (History, University of California, Berkeley) and Kim Forde-Mazrui (University of Virginia Law School).

The panelists discussing "Trends in African American Studies: New Directions" were the chair, Claudrena Harold (History, University of Virginia), Tejumola Olaniyan (African Languages and Literatures, University of Wisconsin, former Woodson Fellow), Milton Vickerman (Sociology, University of Virginia), Corey Walker (Africana Studies, Brown University).

The keynote address: "Reconstructing Southern History and Reconstructing the South" was delivered by Wiliiam A. Darity (Economics, University of North Carolina and Duke University).

These scholars did not disappoint those who assembled to hear them. Individually and collectively they had a wealth of relevant information to share as they reflected on the past, givng it clarity, bringing insightful awareness to the present and imagining the future with regard to what it promises for African Americans.

The panelists, to the person, demonstrated how African American intellectuals are making their presence felt in the highest echelon of univesity power and the role the Woodson Institute has and continues to play in that endeavor.

It was highly appropriate for Wiliam A. Darity to deliver the keynote address of the symposium. Not only did he summarize the panelists's messages and the questions and dialgue that followed each pannel, he offered insight into how Southern history and the South can be reconstructed and by "creating a memory of tomorrow," using history as a signpost rather than a hitchingpost, a new societal construct can emerge that will advance African American life that will be characterized by justice and trinitarian equality, i.e., equality of access, equality of participation and equality of achievement.

I left the Carter G. Woodson Institute's 25th Anniversary Symposium informed, inspired and filled with gratitude. Bravo!

Uriah J. Fields (Electronic mail, April 23, 2007)

Note: Mr Fields is referring to an update sent regularly to our email list. It includes reference to new material on the Loper website as well as upcoming events of special interest. If you would like to experience this email, please let us know.