THE OBSERVER VIA ISSUU
“The Future Figures of Black History Month”
From Features
By Beata Cherepakhina
Features Co-Editor
“She is the epitome of a strong black woman. Oprah is a humanitarian. She is forever giving of herself to her family, friends, fans and our worldwide community” – Chantal Freeman, FCLC ’13
With February comes Black History Month, an opportunity for Americans to reminisce about influential black figures and their impact on American history. In the last few years, several black icons have made significant marks on our lives, but who has really stood out and who is most likely to be remembered?
We asked the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) community their thoughts on what rising black figures they felt deserved special recognition.
The most common answer, not surprisingly, was President Barack Obama.
“No matter what situations President Obama faces during his presidency, he will always be remembered for his tremendous contribution to African-American history,” Danielle Mendez, FCLC ’14, said. “His inauguration was not only a declaration of a certain political direction for the country, but it was a time that African-Americans could reflect and witness how far we have come as a people. There was a time when African-Americans were not considered and treated as human beings; for one of us to rise to the highest position of power in the country is quite reassuring in our growth as a people.”
Obama’s influence isn’t limited to the political realm; he’s also made an impact in the pop culture world.
“[President Obama] has been able to transcend being a political figure into being that along with being somewhat of a celebrity in his own right,” Stephen Williams, FCLC ’12, added. “He’s so well respected among the pop culture elite and he doesn’t take that lightly. Most presidents would deem having allies in the pop world as negative or trivial, but he embraces the support he gets from the world of pop culture, as he knows the impact that it has on the country and the world.”
And there’s no denying that President Obama will forever leave an impact on black history.
“For young black children and youth we are constantly told that we can be anything and do anything,” Chantal Freeman, FCLC ’13, said. “President Obama represents someone who worked hard and despite his critics made it to the highest office in our country. His success qualifies all that we are told.”
President Obama isn’t the only Chicago native making an impact. Another famous Chicagoan, Oprah Winfrey, has also left an impression and become an inspiration not only stateside, but internationally as well.
“For me Oprah is perhaps the most compelling,” Irma Watkins-Owens, associate professor of history, director of African-American studies at FCLC, said. She is a figure who often revisits her past as an abused child, perhaps only in partially successful attempts to transcend it. On the other hand, she has seemingly transcended race and gender barriers to become one of the most powerful figures, man or woman, in her industry”.
Freeman added, “She is the epitome of a strong black woman. Oprah is a humanitarian. She is forever giving of herself to her family, friends, fans and our worldwide community”
But success does come with pressure and Oprah has experienced her fair share.
“Oprah avoids direct, issue-oriented political commentary. This, in my view, is a political position that is partially responsible for her success,” Watkins-Owens said. “[Oprah’s] endorsement of Obama during his presidential run was one of the few times she faced real criticism. Already cultural critics are asking whether Oprah is truly a transcendent figure or if she’s walking the racial tight line as so many “mainstream” African Americans have done.”
Another person who has been exposed to both criticism and praise is Wyclef Jean.
“Wyclef Jean will be remembered for his contributions to music, our country and the world, using his position as a musician and celebrity to bring awareness about different world issues like the earthquake in Haiti,” Mendez said.
Watkins-Owens added, “Haitian-American Wyclef Jean has used his celebrity effectively and problematically. His public commitment to Haiti before and after the earthquake has been influential, but by any critical measure, his attempt to run for the president of the country was not a wise move. Most agree that fluency in Creole, intimate knowledge of the country and political experience are the minimum qualifications to run for any office. Still, Wyclef’s sincere commitment to solving the problems of Haiti mirrors that of many others who form transnational black communities in the U.S.”
Musicians Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, John Legend and Kanye West, director Spike Lee, and Reverend Mike Eric Dyson were also mentioned as black celebrities who are likely to make an impact for future generations.
And so it seems that in recent years, whether musicians or politicians, black icons are working hard to leave their marks on history. No longer do we have Malcom X, MLK or Rosa Parks as the fallback African-American heroes. Today we see influential leaders crossing all boundaries and becoming vital patches in the quilt work of America.