Black history at Lee continues in the path of unity and growth
Deborah Bacon (left), Larry Cox (center) and Hazel Edwards (right) photographed in a 1967 issue of the Vindagua.
Since Lee’s desegregation in the fall of 1966, the university has made efforts to celebrate students of color. Celebrating Black History Month throughout February is one outlet they have used. Over the years, that celebration has transformed and continued to form Black life at Lee.
According to Lee historian Dr. Louis Morgan, Lee rejected applications from Black students in the 1950s, but changes in laws expedited the process of inclusivity. Integration at Lee began with three Black students: Deborah Bacon, Larry Cox and Hazel Edwards. The trio began their attendance in 1966, two years after Congress passed the Civil Rights Act.
According to Morgan, Edwards did not step foot on campus with the intention of being a trailblazer — but with the sole purpose of learning.
“[Edwards] did not come here with an intent to integrate, but she came here to get an education,” said Morgan, director of library services.
Black students would often suffer exclusion and other forms of racism, though that racism was frequently veiled due to being on a Christian campus. They were also impacted by the continued segregation of communities Lee ensembles were involved with.
“The choirs traveled to churches … [but Black students] couldn’t travel to certain churches,” said Morgan.
After administrative changes, diversity began to flourish at Lee. Black students began to join clubs on campus and launch new organizations such as the Black Student Union or The Evangelist Crusaders Team.
“In 1971, Charles W. Conn became president [of Lee College] … He created a very hospitable campus environment,” said Morgan.
Fifty-five years later, Black students continue to appreciate the current diversity and hospitality on campus but have hopes of even more inclusivity and development.“I love this school. I love what this school has to offer to me … I’m glad that this school has provided me with all of these resources,” said Malik Hill, a junior pastoral ministries major and BSU president.
While Hill noted his appreciation for Lee’s resources, he mentioned aspects of potential improvement in Lee’s care for students.
““Before we change anything [at Lee], we need to recognize what we have. Before we attract more [diversity], let’s celebrate the diversity we already have. As we celebrate, let our celebration become the attraction,””
Like Hill, faculty members acknowledge and appreciate Lee’s hospitable community.
“I appreciate that people across sections of this campus can find places where they feel like they can fully identify … We benefit as a campus from all the diversity [in] all of the different clubs,” said Morgan.
Before attending Lee, some students of color find themselves worrying about being able to find their communities.
“When I first found out about Lee, I looked at the website, and there was nothing but white students on the front page. I was like ‘Lord, is there where you want me to go?’” said Hill. “I toured Lee when everyone was moving out to go home for the summer, and I [thought] ‘Where is my community? Where are people that look like me?’”
Other students of color fear they still stick out on Lee’s campus.
“Black life at Lee [can] look like sticking out like a sore thumb. You can see all these nationalities and different ethnicities, but [once] you get in your classrooms, you see that you’re the only Black kid in there. There’s 67 students in [one of my classes], and I’m the only Black student,” said James White, a junior sociology major.
Scholars across campus often gather weekly to find more creative ways to continue improving diversity. Clubs such as Diversity Council, Imago Dei and BSU pursue unity for all nationalities and focus on fostering change. Their meetings are open to all students with the main objective of unifying the Body of Christ.
“As far as change, each of us on an individual level have to be willing to go through it. It’s a heart issue, like when you are actually sick in your heart physically, and you undergo heart surgery; it’s a process,” said White. “You have to go through the pain of surgery, the recovery process, [and then] the healing. With this [change] it works the same way. We have to allow God to do the surgery on our hearts and be willing to endure the pain that’s going to come from it.”
Clubs host various events throughout the semesters such as movie nights, history presentations, worship nights and more. The newly developed group Imago Dei shares a series of videos where they discuss delicate subjects with a wide range of guests.
“Before we change anything [at Lee], we need to recognize what we have. Before we attract more [diversity], let’s celebrate the diversity we already have. As we celebrate, let our celebration become the attraction,” said Hill.
White and Hill mentioned hopes of Lee hiring more Black professors and deans. Anetta Wyatt Ferguson was the first person of color to be employed as full-time faculty at Lee. Hired in 1980, Ferguson was an instructor for reading. The Bahama Islands native also taught in the Hamilton County Public School system until her retirement in 2014.
During this year’s Black History Month, students and staff hope to pay homage to the pioneers of inclusivity at Lee and engage in their history.
“If all we know is what is happening right now, then we don’t know ourselves very well,” said Dr. John Coats, a history professor.
For more information on BSU, Imago Dei and Lee’s Diversity Council, check out their Instagram pages.
