Though only in its third year, Macalester’s African American Studies Conference is already making waves.

This year’s conference, titled “The Psychology of Being Black in 21st Century America” was held here last weekend. The event took place from Feb. 15 to 17 and was sponsored by the Macalester College African American Studies Program.

This year, although the focus remained on the nature and construction of blackness and black identity, a major change was introduced. While the keynote speakers in the past extended the conference beyond Minnesota’s academic circles, this year the committee broadened their audience and appeal through their first national call for papers. According to Religious Studies and African American Studies Professor Anthony Pinn, this national call has afforded an opportunity to continue engaging scholars within the Twin Cities while gaining conversation partners from other areas of the country.

Despite several last minute cancellations, the conference was deemed a success. There were not many Macalester students at the table talks and presentations, but numerous outsiders ensured that most events were well attended. Pinn said he has been somewhat disappointed by the lack of student attendance in the past.

The conference kicked off in the chapel with opening remarks by Pinn, who coordinates African American Studies. Pinn, along with former English professor Roy Kay developed the idea of the African American Studies Conference three years ago.

After Pinn’s speech, Psychology Professor Kendrick Brown introduced keynote speaker Dr. James Jackson. Dr. Jackson is a professor at the University of Michigan and director of the University’s Program for Research on Black Americans.

In his speech, Jackson reiterated that the psychology of the African American population cannot be understood outside of understanding their living conditions, education, coping mechanisms and the gender divide. He presented statistics about African Americans and health-low income black Americans suffer more health problems than low income white Americans. Jackson drew a parallel between discrimination and health problems.

In 1999, the conference focused on the politics of representation, drawing inspiration from Ralph Ellison’s 1952 novel Invisible Man. Last year, Dr. Manning Marble and Professor Quincy Troupe set the tone for their investigation on the politics of writing black. Through cooperation with the University of Minnesota’s African American Studies department, Macalester held a three-day conversation that bridged two campuses, and shed light on important issues such as the construction of narrative and the challenges of writing blackness within the context of the diaspora.

Professor Pinn said that funding for the conference was not a problem. President Mike McPherson, Provost Dan Hornbach, the Alumni office and the Council for Multicultural Affairs provided financial assistance. The conference expenses were also covered using the African American Studies budget.

Partly in an effort to boost student attendance, the committee has, on previous occasions, made an effort to include other divisions of the college. The first conference contained a gallery show developed with the assistance of the Art department. Last year (and this year) they combined the panel with work by the Dramatic Arts and Dance department. The work for the conference this year involved members of the African American Studies and CMA.