Can you make this house a home? Are Black spaces enough to foster a sense of belonging at Ohio Wesleyan University?

Merrick Hall Room 203

In her seminal book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”, Beverly Tatum explores among other issues, what it feels to be black and a minority in a society that sees Blacks. To quote Dubois, “as a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's souls by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity” (Dubois, p.38). The purpose of this research is to investigate and explore the degree to which the House of Black Culture (HBC) serves as a space of belonging for BIPOC students at Ohio Wesleyan. In 1970, when the House of Black culture (HBC) was created, it was one of a handful of residential spaces that were solely for Black students. Now it remains the only Black residential space on Ohio Weslyan‘s campus. As cited above W.E.B Dubois is credited with the development of the term “double consciousness.” The term appeared in his acclaimed book, The Souls of Black Folk. Consistent with this theme, The House of Black Culture similarly provides a space where Black students feel safe and welcomed. The house allows Black students to free themselves from the “gaze” of White people and foster a sense of belonging at predominantly White institutions (PWI). Our research will document the lived experience of Black alumni using oral history traditions and interviews. It is our goal that this research sets foundations for any further research conducted on campus, illuminates the contributions and stories of Black students, makes HBC more visible, and tell the story of HBC through Black students.