February 7, 2012
 Photo Credit: Happyhints.com
February
5, 2012, I spent the day at a sports bar for almost five hours trying
to discern
what attracted so many to the event known as “Super Bowl
Sunday?” In some ways
this article is a tribute to a late colleague,
Dr. Walter Dozier, who was both a professional
journalist and
anthropologist, specializing in—you guessed it, the anthropology of
sports
When
you’re told that each company that had an ad played during Sunday’s
Super Bowl
game paid $3.5M for a 30 second spot, and that 1.25 billion
portions of chicken wings
were eaten during this game weekend, or that
some people were willing to pay $4,000
for a ticket to the game, you
gotta wonder, what’s the allure.We
anthropologists tend to build upon Aristotle’s thesis that “Man is by
nature a social
animal;” we assume the human species (men and women) to
be social and study how
humans operate individually and in groups. The
need to belong, to be part of a social
group seems to be structured
into our DNA. While I did not conduct a scientific study,
I did use one
of the primary methods of cultural anthropology—participant
observation.
Read More....
Original posting:
Posted In : Why Anthropology
February 3, 2012
For
the last few months, we have been inundated by scandals at universities
that range
from allegations of child abuse and molestation to deadly
hazing rituals. In each case,
the president of the institution has come
under tremendous criticism and fire for failing
to act, even when it’s
not clear that they were aware of the incidents. In two instances,
the
president has been terminated (Penn State) or asked to resign or “step
aside” (FAMU).
And while it is true that the buck literally stops with
the president of a college or university,
the circumstances are not
nearly as black and white as they are sometimes portrayed.Read More
original post: Dec 28, 2011 14:46
Posted In : Public Engagement
December 17, 2011
 Slideshow
As
I wander the streets where people never seem to sleep, I am struck by the
high level of social interaction. The French still smoke—ugh. They did
not get that anti-tobacco memo. But they always seem to be engaged in
conversation—they are intent on walking and talking, sitting and talking,
smoking and talking, drinking and talking. The operative word is
“talking.” At a time when people text instead of picking up the phone to
talk to a live person, this high level of engaged conversation seems abnormal.
For
me it is refreshing. You can’t laugh in a text (notwithstanding
smiley faces); you can’t touch a hand in a text; and you certainly can’t tell
what impact (negative or positive) that your last comment had a person by
reading a text. Paris is alive because people have not abandoned the art
of conversation. I miss it as I walk to the latest Star Bucks
(which they also have in France) here, and find people plugged into ipods,
computers, ipads, telephone, and no one seems available to whom you can simply
say hello.
And
so, a week in Paris was like getting a massage. I felt relaxed,
rejuvenated, didn’t worry about what to eat or not eat because I was walking so
much it didn’t matter. But mostly, I felt connected. To everyone,
notwithstanding that all I can say in French is “Bon jour,” “Merci,” and
“Au Revoir.” But those few phrases were worth their weight in gold (or
French chocolate, which is like gold).
I
will go back; that I promise. I now understand the allure that so many (like
Bricktop, Josephine Baker, Richard Wright, and James Baldwin and many others)
before me must have felt when they visited. That is not to say that Paris
or France is perfect—far from it. But there is nothing so touching or romantic
as seeing elderly couples navigate each other down crowded sidewalks, being
squished into tables at cafes that are far too small, all the while holding
hands and gazing into each other’s eyes with a smile. It reminds us that what
distinguishes us as humans is that primal need for sociality. That image
of human caring and endearment is worth seeing again and again…..this American
will return to Paris.
Read also " Artspeak: Paris Noir"
Posted In : Diaspora Postcard
November 24, 2011
Drs. Marilyn Thomas-Houston, Irma McClaurin, Sybil Rosado, Faye V. Harrison
The
recent 96th Annual Meeting of ASALH (the Association for the Study of
African American Life and History) held October 6-10, 2011 in Richmond,
VA provided a rich opportunity to reflect on the status and history of
Black people in America, and in the world. It also spoke to my idea of
“legacymaking”—something in which I have a strong interest, as its
ongoing presence reflects the vision and intellectual legacy of Carter
G. Woodson, the man who is known as the “Father of Black History” and
who established this important organization over ninety years ago.
According
to the ASALH website, the organization came into existence on September
9, 1915 under the visionary leadership of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. At
that time, the name was the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and
History.” Despite the name change from “Negro” to “African American,”
the organization’s vision and mission have remained consistent through
the times: “We are the Founders of Black History Month and carry forth
the work of our founder, the Father of Black History. We continue his
legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world—that Africans and
peoples of African descent are makers of history and co-workers in what
W.E.B. DuBois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” And
ASALH has not wavered from the path that Dr. Woodson set the
organization on almost one hundred years ago. At this latest
conference, I was there to help launch a new journal in Black
Studies—Fire!!!: a multi-media journal of Black Studies that reflects a
collaboration between ASALH and JSTOR. The brains and creative and
technological leadership behind the journal is Dr. Marilyn
Thomas-Houston, a visual anthropologist at the University of Florida
(and former colleague), with roots in the theater and music industry and
a scholarly authority on the Black Diaspora in Nova Scotia—yes, there
are lots of Black folk in Nova Scotia. The
numerous panels on the intersection of technology and Black Studies,
referred to by some as “e-Black Studies” is a testament to the endurance
of Carter G. Woodson’s vision to preserve the rich contributions of
African Americans to the U.S. and the world, and to the tenacity of
Black Studies/aka African-American Studies/aka Afro-American Studies as
an enduring field of innovative scholarship and research. It also
provided ample space in the formal panels and workshops and in between,
in the corridors and restaurants, to reflect on where we are as a people
(our current state of affairs), and where we need to go (the future of
Black America). As
fate would have it, the conference offered me the chance to see old
friends, buy books that placed Black children at the center of the
narrative, try on some Afro-centric clothing and simply reconnect with
folk whose common bond is celebrating and elevating the achievements of
African Americans in the United States and globally. Anyone have a
problem with that?
Originally published 11 November 2011 16:48, Insight News
To continue, click here
Posted In : Public Engagement
November 3, 2011
 Irma McClaurinWhile Curaçao is a tiny country of less than 150,000 inhabitants, it pulled off an enormously successful music event for the second time on September 2 & 3, 2011. If you want beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a cultural cornucopia of Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English, with residuals of Portuguese, African and indigenous native Americans, set sell for Curaçao and the North Sea Jazz Festival before Labor Day about this time next year. The venue allows you to be up close and personal at the indoor stages and within good sound and viewing range outdoors if you don't get to the front of the stage early. I kicked it down front with Kassav and sat on the floor in front of Dionne Warwick close enough to see her sweat. I wasn't fast enough to beat the crowd to Stevie Wonder, but I could see the stage, watch the flat screens, and hear him loud and clear everywhere in the World Trade Center. I had a nice view of Sting and his backup singer. I was impressed that every act began on time. Sound checks occurred for everyone, resulting in impeccable sounds. And I can't say enough about the cleanliness of the bathrooms, the reasonably-priced food, and events staff willing to help even when they didn't know the answer.  Curaçao at Night
Next year the organizers should consider asking taxis to agree to fixed prices or arrange for shuttles. But these are minor and fixable details. Before or afterwards, consider lingering for a few extra days; it will allow you to leisurely stroll the the colorful streets of Punda, cross the swing bridge, or take the ferry across from Otrabanda. People are courteous and helpful and most locals are fluent in at least four languages. Conservation is taking hold since water and electricity are expensive. Curaçao gets its water through desalinization--a timely and expensive process. Don't forget to have a meal by the sea at many of the restaurants that include Cuban, Italian, Middle Eastern, local and Dutch European cuisines. If you want to visit a little piece of a uniquely distinctive part of the African Diaspora, forget Aruba and head straight to la bonita isla de Curaçao in the newly independent Netherlands Antilles. And ...relax.  Dionne Warwick
For more information: Dionne Warwickhttp://www.curacaonorthseajazz.com/en/(c) 2011 McClaurin Solutions - Photos courtesy of the authorOriginal Date: Friday, 09 Sept 2011 13:51, Insight News
Posted In : A Moment in Time
September 10, 2010
Shaw University introduces Irma McClaurin as the new president.
She will be the first female president at the historically black college in Raleigh.
Before accepting the position at Shaw, McClaurin was associate vice
president for system academic administration at the University of
Minnesota, and executive director of the Urban Research and
Outreach/Engagement Center in Minneapolis.
McClaurin was introduced during a grand ceremony on Shaw's campus that included singers, dancers and even a red carpet.
A number of community leaders and Shaw representatives welcomed the 15th president including interim president, Dorothy Yancy.
"Take this wonderful and very special place to the next level," said
Yancy. "Best wishes to you and remember I'm just a phone call away if
you need me."
Her hiring comes as the school struggles with debt which in the summer of 2009 was reported at $20 million.
There was no talk of the past financial woes at the university during the ceremony on Thursday.
McClaurin is known for being a fundraising whiz and she's hoping to
turn around the college's financial troubles by creating new
partnerships.
"We have to be strategic in looking for new partnerships and corporations have always been a good fit," explained McClaurin.
Students seemed excited about the new leadership.
"I want Shaw University to become a more prestigious university than
it already is and I think President McClaurin can help accomplish that
goal," said Ulysses Hall.
The school's last named president, Clarence Newsome, left the
university amid a financial crisis in 2009. He held the position for six
years.
There was even a reported move to oust Willie Gary as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, but he still holds the position. Written By Maggie Alexander Article Republished Courtesy of NBC17
Posted In : Public Engagement
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