Western University students mark launch of Black studies

Students at Western University gathered this week to celebrate the launch of the school’s new major in Black Studies, a program that faculty say represents years of work and a significant step forward for the institution. The major, introduced this fall, builds on the minor established in 2022 and reflects growing academic interest in the histories, cultures and politics of Black communities.

The program arrives at a moment when initiatives focused on marginalized groups are facing resistance in parts of the United States. Faculty involved in the effort say this context underscores the importance of Western’s decision. Erica Lawson, an associate professor who helped create the program, described the path to the launch as long and often demanding, but driven by determination and shared purpose. She said the new major stands as a counterpoint to narratives that seek to diminish the experiences of Black and other marginalized people.

The curriculum draws from several disciplines, allowing students to study Black history, culture and heritage through courses in political science, anthropology, English, art and history. Lawson noted that faculty teach the subject through varied lenses informed by their own backgrounds. She said her own teaching is rooted in Jamaican traditions of resistance, exploring figures such as Marcus Garvey and movements shaped by enslaved people and maroons. She added that the heart of the field is an examination of how communities have survived by affirming that their lives matter.

Ontario Poet Laureate Matthew-Ray Jones attended the celebration and remarked that the program reflects the ongoing creation of history at the university. His comments emphasized the significance of the moment for both students and faculty.

Miranda Green-Barteet, an associate professor who played a central role in building the major, said the program required coordinated work across the campus. A committee of faculty and students structured the module, which she described as a major accomplishment for the university. She said Western has not always engaged deeply with these subjects, and the introduction of both a major and minor demonstrates a stronger commitment to Black students and to educating the wider community.

Faculty say the launch marks the beginning of a broader academic space where students can study Black experiences in ways that reflect their complexity and importance. The celebration this week signalled both relief and pride that the work to establish the program has finally taken root.

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