Former and current TAASU members join to celebrate
David Cordill
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News
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With a two-hour program entitled "Honoring the Legacy of Black Student Unions," past and present TAASU members, along with others guests, rejoiced and reflected during the celebration, which featured several guest speakers, live jazz, a dramatic performance and interpretative dance.
Keynote speakers Dr. Valerie Tucker Blackwell, TAASU founding member, and former Missouri House of Representatives member Lloyd Daniel, each ruminated on the historic struggles of African Americans on college campuses during the 1960s before commenting on the current status and future direction of African Americans within the educational realm.
Mel Tyler, UMKC Vice Chancellor Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, began the event with the university welcome to all attendees. Tyler, himself a Black Student Union member while in college, acknowledged the efforts of TAASU's founding members.
"I want to tell you that as student leaders of that time, you have paved the way for students of today," Tyler said. "I can tell you that I would not be standing here in the position that I have at the university without the leadership that was developed and provided in the '60s."
Blackwell, a current UMKC faculty member, explained why she and several fellow students transferred to UMKC.
"One night, black students were gathered up at Central Missouri State," Blackwell said. "We were in front of the dorms and were told, 'You cannot make it here and we don't have any record of you ever being here.' … And even though UMKC at that time was somewhat of a hostile environment, it still was better than many of the other schools in the Midwest. At least we were able to form a group like TAASU here."
Daniel, a former TAASU president who studied political science at UMKC from 1970-73, quoted and commented on the words of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while expounding on the socio-political role of the African American college student.
"You don't realize it but you're on the mountain top now," Daniel said, referring to Dr. King's famous 1968 Memphis, Tenn. speech. "…You should look at what you're gaining now as a way to have something to share with the folks if they ask. You don't have to beat them down with what you know, but when they ask you, that's the teachable moment for you to share what you know."
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Sister Lucille
posted 2/16/08 @ 11:28 AM CST
Wow! What a great evening you gave the founders. Thanks for such a welcoming spirit from Chancellor Bailey and Vice Chancellor Tyler. I look forward to next year's celebration. (Continued…)
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