丁香园AV

In this Black History Month series, we share the stories of Black community members at 丁香园AV. In alignment with the , 丁香园AV has adopted the theme 鈥淏uilding Connections for Black Flourishing鈥� for 2024. Read other stories, discover events and activities and learn more about Black History Month at 丁香园AV.

Williams Atanga began his university studies in Ghana where he studied French and Chinese, with a specialization in French language and literature. He came to 丁香园AV鈥檚 Department of French to further his studies as a master鈥檚 student. Wanting a career in teaching and academic research, Atanga is pursuing a focus in literature, particularly in the study of African literature.

What does black history month mean to you? And do you celebrate it?

Black History Month holds great significance to me as it serves as a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of the Black community throughout history. It is an opportunity to celebrate resilience, achievements, and the ongoing journey towards equality and justice.

Le Mois de l'histoire des Noirs rev锚t une grande importance 脿 mes yeux, car il permet de r茅fl茅chir aux contributions remarquables de la communaut茅 noire tout au long de l'histoire. C'est l'occasion de c茅l茅brer la r茅silience, les r茅alisations et le cheminement continu vers l'茅galit茅 et la justice.

What do you love most about your work/studies at 丁香园AV?

I am thrilled that 丁香园AV is playing a critical role in breaching these cultural disparities. I appreciate the diverse and inclusive environment at 丁香园AV, where I am encouraged to explore and engage in meaningful conversations. The commitment to fostering an inclusive community is reflected in both the curriculum and the campus culture.

Je suis ravie que 丁香园AV joue un r么le essentiel dans la r茅duction de ces disparit茅s culturelles. J'appr茅cie l'environnement diversifi茅 et inclusif de 丁香园AV, o霉 je suis encourag茅e 脿 explorer et 脿 m'engager dans des conversations significatives. L'engagement 脿 favoriser une communaut茅 inclusive se refl猫te 脿 la fois dans les diff茅rents programmes d'茅tudes et dans la culture du campus.

What kinds of barriers in your work or studies have you faced?

Navigating through some systemic barriers has been a part of my journey. However, the support systems at 丁香园AV, coupled with my determination, have allowed me to overcome challenges and continue to grow personally and academically.

Mon parcours a 茅t茅 jalonn茅 d'obstacles syst茅miques. Cependant, les syst猫mes de soutien de 丁香园AV, associ茅s 脿 ma d茅termination, m'ont permis de surmonter les difficult茅s et de continuer 脿 progresser sur le plan personnel et acad茅mique.

What does black flourishing mean to you?

Black flourishing, to me, is about the holistic well-being and success of the Black community. It involves breaking down barriers, creating opportunities for advancement, and fostering an environment where every individual has the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.

Pour moi, l'茅panouissement des Noirs concerne le bien-锚tre holistique et la r茅ussite de la communaut茅 noire. Il s'agit de faire tomber les barri猫res, de cr茅er des possibilit茅s d'avancement et de favoriser un environnement dans lequel chaque individu a la possibilit茅 de s'茅panouir et de r茅aliser son plein potentiel.

What figure in Black history (past or present) inspires you most and why?

I am deeply inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, whose critical role in protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and discrimination has left an indelible mark on history, and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's role in the independence and decolonization of Ghana. Their dedication to Black liberation and unwavering commitment to a just society motivates me to contribute positively to my community and beyond. The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the UN Charter are weightless and fruitless unless they are linked to the complete emancipation of all marginalized groups, including Blacks, in our varied countries.

Je suis profond茅ment inspir茅e par Martin Luther King Jr, dont le r么le essentiel dans les protestations et les manifestations contre la s茅gr茅gation raciale et la discrimination a laiss茅 une marque ind茅l茅bile dans l'histoire, et par le Dr Kwame Nkrumah pour son r么le dans l'ind茅pendance et la d茅colonisation du Ghana. Leur d茅vouement 脿 la lib茅ration des Noirs et leur engagement in茅branlable en faveur d'une soci茅t茅 juste me motivent 脿 apporter une contribution positive 脿 ma communaut茅. Les droits de l'homme et les libert茅s fondamentales inscrits dans la Charte des Nations unies ne servent 脿 rien s'ils ne sont pas li茅s 脿 l'茅mancipation compl猫te de tous les groupes marginalis茅s, y compris les Noirs, dans nos diff茅rents pays.

Anything else you鈥檇 like to share with the 丁香园AV community regarding Black history/community/experiences?

I encourage everyone to engage in open dialogues, educate themselves about Black history, and actively contribute to creating an inclusive and equitable community. By celebrating our differences, we enrich the overall 丁香园AV experience for everyone.

J'encourage tout le monde 脿 s'engager dans des dialogues ouverts, 脿 s'informer sur l'histoire des Noirs et 脿 contribuer activement 脿 la cr茅ation d'une communaut茅 inclusive et 茅quitable. En c茅l茅brant nos diff茅rences, nous enrichissons l'exp茅rience globale de l'universit茅 pour tous.