CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, February 9, 1996
3A
Classes offer Black history for more than one month
African studies help students learn about past writers and works
By Jason Strait
Kansan staff writer
For students and faculty in African-American studies classes, it's African-American History month all semester long.
The department of African and African-American studies offers more than 20 classes focusing on African history, literature, drama and culture.
Two classes focusing specifically on literature are Introduction to African Literature and Women in Contemporary African Literature. The courses let students fulfill their English requirements with something that isn't so mainstream.
One way these classes differ from American literature classes, beyond the focus on African literature, is the historical development the classes must pay attention to, said Omfolabo Ajayi, associate professor of theater and film and assistant professor of women's studies.
To understand the author's message, classes must pay specific attention to the historical context and background. Ajayi said.
"It's a different sense than other literature classes, because I have to wade through a lot of the different cultural bulk," she said. "Classes in Western literature don't have to go through that."
Reading, analysis and discussion of contemporary African authors follows the historical development in both classes. As in any literature class, the students analyze the literature to discuss larger social implications.
"I think the important thing we look at in this class is how the literature of these women helps explore the commonities we all have," Feingold said.
Ajayi said that more of her colleagues in the departments of English and theater and film were including African literature and plays in their classes.
Ajayi said her class did nothing special for African-American history month other than have a few speakers whose message pertained to the class. It's a sentiment shared by others in the department, including Chico Herbison, instructor in African-American studies.
"My feeling is every month is African-American history month," Herbison said. "I just try to make students aware of what's going on campus."
Father/son duo to jazz up Lied tomorrow night
Many tickets still are available for Marsalis tour performance
By Heather Kirkwood Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Branford Marsalis, former leader of The Tonight Show Band from 1992 to 1995, and his father, jazz great Ellis Marsalis, will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow night at the Lied Center.
They are touring to promote their new record, "Loved Ones," which is devoted to the subjects of women, love and the feminine mystique.
The recording, released last week, is a collection of piano and piano/saxophone love ballads including "Maria" from West Side Story, Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets" and the Gershwin's "Bless You Is My Woman."
The recording also features a solo called "Dear Dolores" by Ellis Marsalis, which is a tribute to both his wife and his mother.
This is the first album Marsalis and his son Branford have recorded together.
The concert is sponsored by Student Union Activities and is part of the inauguration celebrations for Chancellor Robert Hemenway.
SUA has guaranteed the Marsalis duo $17,500 and 80 percent of profits made from the event.
Tickets for the performance are available at the SUA box office, and 800 remain. They are $16 with a KUID and $20 for the general public. All tickets will be $20 at the door. Those who purchase discounted tickets should bring their KUID to the performance.
Wescoe trio
Enjoying the absence of arctic weather, Tom Bemberger, Lenexa senior, studies in front of Wesco Hall. Kansas students made the most of spring-like temperatures by shedding their coats and gloves and taking their studies outdoors.
Darcy Coles / KANSAN
Brian Flink / KANSAN
Native Americans encourage heritage
Tribal law is focus of school's program
Robert Porter, associate professor of law, directs the Tribal Law Center at the KU School of Law.
By David Teska Kansan staff writer
Robert Porter came to the University of Kansas last summer with a straightforward goal—to teach Indian law to law students.
"I'm concerned with Indian law that deals with Indians—that's the real issue" Porter said.
Porter directs the Tribal Law Center at the KU School of Law. The center, which opened last semester, concentrates on three programs: the tribal lawyer certificate program, the Haskell Indian Nations University-KU tribal lawyer training program and the Tribal Law and Governance Research Program.
Porter said his ultimate goals were to make the school a focal point for Native-American legal research and become the top institution for the educating lawyers in Native American law.
"This should be the place people look to get the leg up on representing Indian people." Porter said.
"You can't take lawyers who have done other things and put them in the box of
For Porter, the drive is both personal and professional. Growing up in the Seneca tribe in Allegany, N.Y., Porter said he developed a desire to represent the Seneca people.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1989, Porter said he wanted practice law before focusing on tribal law. In 1991, he moved to the Seneca nation and helped develop its Department of Justice, ultimately rising to Attorney General.
When he left in 1995, his view had reversed on lawyers first getting grounded in the law before tackling tribal law.
Indian law." he said.
Porter said he became concerned with the trend towards overlaying the federal legal code on top of a tribal system and this led him to the idea of a center for legal research and education. Porter said.
"We want more Native Americans coming to this school," he said.
One project Porter said he is working on is raising funds for student scholarships and summer internships. Ideally, the students should get a stipend for the summer so not to burden the tribes financially, Porter said.
Edwin Hecker, professor of law, assists with the center. Even though he is the tenured professor, Hecker said Porter was the driving force behind the center's existence.
"He had such a fire in his belly about this issue." Hecker said.
Students enrolled in the certificate program have seen the need for Native-American lawyers trained in the laws that affect Native Americans at the tribal, state and federal level.
"It's like a giant puzzle you have to put together," said Lori Learned, Lawrence second-year law student.
Learned said because of the historical relationship between the federal government and tribal government, it was important that Native-American lawyers get trained to serve on behalf of their people.
"There's a lot of mistrust among Indians about white law," Learned said.
Cherokee chief stresses economic independence
By Susanna Löfő
Kansan staff writer
Native Americans should become more economically independent from the federal government.
That was one of the messages Joe Byrd, chief principal of the Cherokee Nation, delivered in a speech at the Spencer Museum of Art last night.
"Now the federal government has us addicted to its programs. We trust that you will change that," Byrd told an audience of about 70 students.
But Native Americans should not become totally independent of federal money, Byrd emphasized.
They should keep 20 percent of the money because of the land that was stolen and the people who died, he said.
Byrd used other parts of his 30-minute speech to encourage the students in the audience, especially those Native American.
"Your family back home has high expectations on you," he said. "They expect you to deliver. And I know you will."
Another message in Byrd's speech was that the University of Kansas would benefit from creating a Native-American studies program. Such a program could attract new students and more research money to the University, he said.
A group of faculty has been working to create such a program since fall, said Rita Napier, one of the leaders of the Native-American Studies Task Force.
"We expect to have a program to send to the Regents by next January," said Napier, associate professor of history.
Several audience members waited to meet Byrd after the speech, including Dorothy Stites, Lawrence senior. She said she was inspired by the speech.
"It was motivational," said Sites, a Cherokee and Kiowa Native American. "It made me stronger in what I intend to do in life, and that is help my people."
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