Byron Hurt addresses sexism, racism
at Salem State College symposium

In celebration of Black History Month, Salem State College will host the sixth annual Black Symposium at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at Veterans Hall, featuring community activist Byron Hurt.

Hurt's address, "I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America" will challenge the audience to examine the effects of racism and sexism in American culture by asking these questions:

What is black masculinity?

How have racial stereotypes in this country shaped black masculinity?

How does sexism affect black women and men?

How do black men attain a sense of manhood?

How do gay black men define their own masculinity?

Hurt also produced an award-winning documentary by the same name (I am a Man: Black Masculinity in America).

An educator who teaches about racism, sexism and violence against women, Hurt is co-founder and the Associate Director of the U.S. Marine Corps. Gender violence prevention program. A former Northeastern University quarterback, he is also the co-creator of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program at Northeastern, the first large-scale attempt to enlist collegiate and professional athletes in the fight against rape and violence against women.

Veterans Hall is located in the Ellison Campus Center on Salem State's North Campus, 352 Lafayette St., Salem. The symposium is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Afrikan-American Student Association at (978) 542-6461.