ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's podcast, "It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science," recently featured Marsha Hardeman, a professor in the Africana Studies Department, discussing the significance of Black history. The episode, titled "The More We Know, The More We Grow," delves into Hardeman's experiences growing up in the segregated South and her commitment to preserving Black history in education.

Hardeman shared her transformation from disliking history in high school to embracing it after encountering a college class on Black theater. She said, “I think it was because I didn’t see anything that represented me,” adding that the course revealed untold stories of Black Americans. This inspired her to ensure students at UNM learn about these narratives, particularly focusing on Black women's contributions to activism.

“No disrespect to the men, but it was the women who did the work,” she stated, highlighting figures like Ella Baker and Mary McLeod Bethune. Hardeman also reflected on her childhood in Louisville, Kentucky, where segregation affected daily life. Public pools were inaccessible for Black residents and amusement parks were segregated.

Hardeman argues that current efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs echo past civil rights struggles. “We are seeing efforts to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across the country,” she said. She emphasizes researching erased or hidden aspects of Black history as essential for understanding the past.

One concern is the lack of Black history education in schools. Students often express surprise at learning new historical facts: “Every semester, students say to me, ‘How come nobody ever told us this before?’” To bridge generational gaps and personalize history lessons, she assigns students research tasks linked to their family histories.

Hardeman challenges America’s melting pot metaphor by comparing cultural diversity to a salad bowl where each culture retains its distinct flavor while contributing to a whole. As part of ongoing conversations during Black History Month on "It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science," Hardeman remains optimistic about raising awareness: “The more we know, the more we grow,” she said.

The episode can be accessed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts among other platforms.