Elaine Brown comes to campus

The Black Panther's only female chairman, Elaine Brown, will be on campus Monday through Wednesday this week as a Guests-in-Residence at Allen Hall.

According to Blackpanther.org, the Black Panther Party was created in 1966 as a result of the Civil Rights Movement, and was described as the last push for equality by black society.

Assistant Program Director of the African American Cultural Program Angela Clark said Brown is appearing not only as a guest-in-residence but also to partake in the African American Cultural Program's Maafa week.

"Every year, in the month of October, the African American cultural program takes time to look at slavery, and the impact it has on us today," Clark said.

She said Maafa means the "great tragedy that we have endured." She said the program will focus on African Americans in the prison industry this year.

"We are going to have Elaine Brown speaking because not only has she done things in the Black Panther party to fight racial injustices, but she is also doing things currently," Clark said.

She said Brown is going to discuss some issues she has dealt with in Georgia concerning juvenile justice. She will discuss the prison industry and all of the issues that come along with it.

"It just so happens that the African American Program was planning this special week, and Brown was going to be on campus," Clark said. She added that Brown made room in her schedule to come and participate in the cultural programs events.

"When we knew that Elaine Brown was coming to campus this week, we knew that we had to do whatever we could to create another opportunity for her to interact with students," Clark said.

Nameka Bates, assistant director of the African American Cultural Program, said Brown would be discussing social mobility and social justice. She said her position in the Black Panther organization allowed her to witness first-hand numerous injustices that occurred to blacks.

Bates said Brown was a great addition to the program's Maafa week.

"This is important for black students to always remember where we came from because it is a very good framework to understand where we need to go," Bates said.

Bates said programs would be put on to provide multiple perspectives for students all week.

"Monday, the program would be discussing the prison industry, and Wednesday, Brown is going to speak about her own personal views and experiences with prison," Bates said. "Thursday, a movie will be shown that reflects child labor at the Union, and Friday, a group of alumni are putting on a play that depicts black exploitation by Hollywood and in the media."

She said the purpose of Maafa is to provide different experiences and insight for each student.

Melody Wilson, senior in ACES, said she is excited about seeing Elaine Brown.

"I would love to know more about the Black Panther Party, and it will be interesting to hear her own personal experiences," Wilson said.

She said she would like to hear her views about the organization.

"This will be my first time hearing her speak, so I don't know what to expect," she added.

Wilson said she is going to attend Brown's lecture to learn more about women's roles in the black power movement.

"I want to see Elaine Brown because she will have a woman's point of view about the Black Panthers, and I have only heard the man's point of view about this organization," Wilson said.