Major trouble for McGill's African studies

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by SIOBHAN O'CONNOR

It's not the first time students have fought for funding, nor is it the first time a university's administration has failed to live up to its promises. But for the African Studies Committee (ASC) at McGill, a coalition of students and staff formed in '94 when the faculty of arts proposed reducing the African Studies major to a minor, this particular fight has gone on long enough.

 Since its inception in 1969, the program--the only one of its kind in Canada--has fought tooth and nail with McGill's administration for improved status. Over the years it's been nearly dismantled and suffered numerous budget cuts. It remains one of the few majors at McGill without a chairperson.

 In honour of its 30th anniversary, the ASC will hold an Africana Congress this weekend at McGill. The ASC will bring together academics, leading members of the black community and the public, and present their plan to keep the program alive. The goal of the congress, says ASC member Kapwani Kiwanga: "To help McGill realize that Africa and the Diaspora have been written out of 'world history.' It concerns us all and for that, the program is necessary."

 For more info, call 398-6815 or go to http://anacaona. org/asc. :

 

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