For some Penn State professors and faculty members, Black History Month is about recognizing social justice; others say the special distinction may have adverse effects on the elimination of racism.

Sam Richards, professor of sociology and co-director of the Race Relations Project, said the celebration of Black History Month, which begins today, can have both a negative and positive impact on race relations.

"For the majority of white people, they don't care or even notice, or either they see it as another barrier to integration," Richards said.

Richards said he has noticed over the years that sometimes there are lots of activities during the month and some years it passes by unnoticed.

"Since I've been here at Penn State, I've seen the importance of Black History Month ebb and flow," Richards said.

This year, students interested in participating in multicultural programs can find events on Penn State's diversity calendar such as a social justice lecture, an African-American Read-In Chain and a cultural movie.

Laurie Mulvey, professor of sociology and co-director of the Race Relations Project, said that she recognizes Black History Month could have a negative impact on race relations but believes it has also been important in academia.

"It's been important in education for teachers to be challenged to expand their curriculum to include histories from multiple perspectives because that expands all of us," she said.

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week to expose the harms of racial prejudice and to recognize contributions of blacks who challenged the color barrier in every aspect of life. The week has since been expanded to a month-long observance.

Debra Simpson-Buchanan, assistant director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, said the month is designated to celebrate the community, not just black people.

"It celebrates America and highlights in the month of February the contributions African-Americans have made since coming to this land," Simpson-Buchanan said. "And it's OK to set time to celebrate it."

Andrew Jackson, academic adviser in the College of Education, said people do not realize why they should be proud about their own race. He cited the upcoming Super Bowl, which will feature two black head coaches for the first time, as an important historical event.

"People want to know why it is important that two African-Americans are in the Super Bowl," Jackson said. "By seeing role models, students who are disenfranchised can see hope."

Simpson-Buchanan said conditions have improved since the Civil Rights era but people still must remember the past.

"We have integrated to a point were we forgot the past," Simpson-Buchanan said. "It's part of American history so they should be just as informed."

Wilson Moses, a professor of history, said he remembers when there was only a week-long recognition but thinks people should be more concerned with solving today's problems rather than gloating in celebrations.

"I don't believe in the celebration of history," Moses said. "It's an ugly distortion. It's a record of man's inhumanity to man."

Moses said there would not be a need for honoring achievements if there was not so much opposition. She added there is too much focus on the widely known "I Have a Dream" speech by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I wish they would declare a 20-year moratorium on that speech," Moses said.

However, some students do appreciate a designated month to learn more about black history.

"It's important to raise awareness especially at a college with so many diverse people," Elizabeth Hayes-Lozada (junior-nursing) said. "You don't need to be black to celebrate the achievements of people."