Southeastern puts on Black History Month lecture series

Monday, Feb. 17, was the first lecture in a series of Black History Month lectures this spring. Tim Chauvin, a history and political science professor, was the first speaker in the spring lecture series. His lecture was titled “Creole Culture and Civil Rights: The New Orleans Connection.”

“Chauvin knew what he was talking about throughout the various topics discussed in the lecture,” said Alaina Wimbish, a Southeastern sophomore.

Wimbish, along with many of Chauvin’s students, attended the lecture on Monday.

The lecture discussed the important way creole food and music played a part in the American Civil Rights Movement. Chauvin talked about the history of creole culture, how it has continued to stay alive and the people who helped bring it to life.

Wimbish said, “I thought the material was interesting to learn about and Chauvin was well versed and knew specific details that were not necessarily in textbooks.”

Another attendant of the lecture, Tayler Tabb, had a different opinion on the way Chauvin presented his lecture.

“I thought it was a good lecture, but it did not have a flow,” said Tabb.

Tabb and Wimbish were asked if they would attend the lecture again, and they had mixed responses.

“I would definitely go again,” said Wimbish.

She enjoyed the lecture and everything that was discussed.

On the other hand, Tabb stated “I would not go again, only because I knew most of the information and it was not very educational for me.”

Although the attendees had mixed responses on whether they would attend the lecture again, both Tabb and Wimbish said they would recommend the lecture to their friends.

This lecture was the first in a series of lectures that took place this spring. Some students like Wimbish knew the lecture was part of a series, while others like Tabb had no clue it was the first in a series of lectures. .

The second lecture titled, “The Haitian Revolution and the Challenge of Decolonization,” was held on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The lecturer, Zachary Isenhower, discussed The Haitian Revolution of 1791–1804 along with the French and American revolutions.

The third and final lecture was held on Monday, March 2. This lecture entitled “Frantz Fanon: An Introduction to a Black Militant Philosopher” was presented by Peter Gratton. This lecture followed Frantz Fanon and his books ‘Wretched of the Earth’ and ‘Black Skins/White Masks.’

All three lectures were in honor of Black History Month. This is an annual lecture series held at Southeastern Louisiana University in the Student Union Theater during the month of February.