Ian Navarre is the new Black Culture chairperson in Union Program Council. He is also the first white person to hold this position in UPC history.
When Navarre decided to apply for a UPC position, Black Culture was not his first choice.
“My top three choices were Lively Arts, Ideas and Issues, and Black Culture,” Navarre said. “I loved Black Culture, but I didn’t know how students would react to the chairperson of Black Culture being white so I listed it as my last choice.”
But the more he thought about Black Culture’s events and programming, the more excited he became. After receiving encouragement from outgoing UPC council members, various student leaders and friends, he became more confident.
So during his UPC interview he changed Black Culture chair to his first choice.
According to Peter Sodenberg’s book “Bright Journey: A Pictorial History of the LSU Union”, the Black Culture Committee was not an original UPC committee when the committees were established in 1961.
It was established by student movements such as the first Harambe’, the Martin Luther King, Jr. movement and the Black History Week Committee.
Sodenberg said Black Culture became a permanent committee in 1980.
LSU Union Associate Director of Programs and a member of UPC selection committee JoAnn Doolos said since Black Culture has been in existence only African-American students have held the chairperson position, and few have been male.
“Ian was the first person outside the African-American race to actually apply for the position,” Doolos said. “But we have always encouraged students to apply for whatever position interests them, regardless of their racial background.”
Doolos said students typically may think that to be the Black Culture chairperson, they have to be a black person.
But Doolos points to other positions on UPC students of different backgrounds have held in the past.
“We have American students who have held the position of International chairperson and done very well with the position,” she said. “So, we have no doubt that a white male can hold the position of Black Culture chairperson and do a great job.”
Angelica Evans, a business pre-law sophomore, said Navarre was selected for a reason.
“What is important is that he is serious about his position and committed to working with others to do a good job with the Black Culture Committee,” she said.
Navarre said he was apprehensive about taking on Black Culture chair for several reasons.
One reason was he was not sure that he would be seen as someone who could to relate to African-American students.
“I realize that I am not an African-American person, and I approach being chair of the Black Culture with this same attitude,” he said.
However, because he is gay, Navarre said he does understand some of the issues African-American students face, like discrimination.
“My sexual orientation has given me a better understanding of racial discrimination as well as discrimination in general,” he said. “In some ways, I parallel the struggle for equality and understanding between the civil rights movement to the gay rights movement.”
Navarre said although the two events are not the same, he believes both groups can appreciate the similarities and struggles each have had with discrimination.
“I know the importance of respecting all types of people, regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation,” he said.
Another potential problem Navarre felt he might face is having the general public take him seriously.
“I am going to be nervous when it comes time for me to stand before the Harambe’ crowd and announce myself as Black Culture chair,” he said. “But that’s only because I want people to understand that I take this position very seriously and it’s not a joke.”
Navarre said he wants people to know he has the right motives and took on the position because he is interested in exploring and expanding black culture in the LSU community.
“I want the focus to be put on Black Culture, not my race,” Navarre said.
So far, Narvarre said he only received positive feedback.
“We have had a long discussion about the direction we want to see the committee go and are ready to work hand-in-hand to see things done,” he said.
Navarre and his committee are full of ideas for this year.
One idea he has is to continue educating people about black history, after February’s Black History Month has passed.
Narvarre compares his plan to the service program’s “Christmas in July.”
“During the holiday season people are more likely to donate more food and clothing items to the less fortunate,” he said. “The program, ‘Christmas in July,’ recognizes that people are hungry year round and provides services for people during the summer as well.”
Navarre said black culture is constantly occurring and it is as important to continue black history coverage in the months following February.
“People are most familiar with prominent black leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X,” he said. “However, there are other leaders in history and currently around our community that are making advancements in the black community and the community as a whole.”
Navarre says his main goal as the new chair is to “mix it up.”
“Black Culture is important for all people to know about and I encourage people of all different walks of life to become involved,” he said. “At my first meeting, people of all different races were there and that is how I think life should be. We should all be open to working together and learning about others.”
Navarre is hoping to learn a lot as the new Black Culture chair.
“I think this is going to be the biggest and best learning experience of my life,” Navarre said. “And I’m ready for the challenge to learn more about myself and LSU. This is a step towards continuing our diversifying efforts, and if we work together we can only continue to move forward.”