This academic year, the Black Cultural Center celebrates 30 years of Umoja and Kujichagulia—in other words, unity and self-determination. The cultural center, affectionately known as the "Black House," was allocated to the Union on January 13, 1972, to be under the care of the Black Students Alliance.
The purpose of the house was to be "the communications center between the black and white communities on campus," said Frederick A. Jackson, coordinator of minority student affairs in 1971. Currently, we are in the midst of Black Awareness Week, which runs until November 16.
Around the time of the BCC’s inception there was a lot more social unrest between the two communities here at RPI and in America as a whole.
In January of 1971, a group of white freshman decided to attach their burning meal tickets to a burning cross, wearing white robes. These students were let off with a warning.
In February of the same year "Nigger Go Home" was spray-painted across the archway of the Quad; the responsible parties were unknown. In 1971, black students had housing located in the Quad set aside for them, at their request.
In response to tensions and hostility, a series of demands were sent to the administration from the BSA executive board. BSA insisted that the coordinator of the minority student affairs, Jackson, deal only with black issues and act soley as a dean for the black students at RPI.
They also contended that a black recruiter and a black dean were required. In addition, they advocated equal membership in RPI clubs, equal housing, more black faculty, and a coed black dorm. The BCC was one of the requests presented to administration as well.
The original mission of the BCC was to give the black community a place for the permanent display of artifacts; a library of black culture; and lecture, guest, and study rooms, said Johnson.
The BCC is located at 41 Ninth Street, directly behind West Hall. The cultural center currently houses four residents and plays host to many campuswide events such as cooking classes sponsored by the African and Caribbean Students Association; movie nights, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Kwanzaa dinners, sponsored by BSA; culturally based discussions; and much more.
While views differ widely around campus on the BCC and its purpose, Tony Moore, BCC resident and assistant facilities coordinator, said it is a place where students can respond to the diverse needs of America.
"Rensselaer is especially known for encouraging its students to take up this challenge through the use of ‘moral intelligence.’ The BCC is a part of this mission as it challenges students to explore issues of leadership that respond to the needs of black people as well as the needs of all Americans. The BCC and many of its activities are part of the overall educational effort of the college," added Moore.
While it is widely agreed that the BCC fulfills its mission as a gathering place for minority events and discussions while showcasing cultural artifacts and literature, it is unclear if it serves as a focal point of dialogue between the races.
Some students like Tracy Hanbury and Dan Heavens are unaware that the BCC even exists at RPI. Others wonder why it’s located closer to the RPI Approach than the main campus, dorms, and Union.
"A certain of number of people on campus would feel intimidated [by the BCC], but it’s a small number. If people found out about topics that interest them I’d think they’d go. I’d like to think the majority of campus would be like that. [Based on] people that I’ve talked to that’s the way they’d feel," said David Siebecker, Class of 2002 senator.
Frank Rutigliano, another student, said "It would be cooler if it were more integrated. I’ve never been invited and I’m not randomly going to show up. It’s like going to a fraternity house if you don’t know anyone."
Leslie Granger, BSA vice-president and BCC co-chair, said, "We have a problem with advertising to the non-minority community. Events held [at the BCC] aren’t usually geared to everybody."
However, its current mission is "to get more people to take interest in and participate in the BCC. More people meaning everybody, the whole campus," said Melanie Green, BSA Class of 2002 representative and BCC co-chair.
BSA has been drafted by the RPI community to welcome non-minorities to the BCC in hopes to make everyone more comfortable with its purpose and settings. "All community members, especially non-black, stand to gain a great deal of cross-cultural knowledge and skills through their interaction with the BCC," concluded Moore.
In celebration of its anniversary the BCC is currently undergoing massive renovations from painting and landscaping to changing its name.
In the future the "Black House" will be known as the Garnett D. Baltimore Black Cultural Center in honor of RPI’s first black graduate in 1881.
