Going through the DeKalb school system as a black child is not easy, said panelists who presented “Being Black in DeKalb.”

The Center for Black Studies, along with the Interfaith Network, sponsored the panel. Four panelists led the discussion: Taisha Wright, a DeKalb resident; Kristian McCullough, a DeKalb High School student; “Brother Henry 3x,” co-founder of the Black Student Union for DeKalb High School; and Regina Curry, CHANCE counselor.

Curry started the discussion with a reading from Peggy McIntyre. The reading listed ways to know if a person belongs to a “privileged” culture.

“Brother Henry 3x” said one the problems of being black in DeKalb is the school system. He said history of the Greeks and Romans are taught in the school systems, but Africa is never mentioned until slavery.

McCullough spoke about his experience in DeKalb in elementary and high school. When in the eighth grade, he complained several times to the administration of his school about being called a n***er. He also said it was not unusual for students of color to be suspended for using the terms “cracker” or “redneck.”

McCullough also noted positives about living in DeKalb, however.

“Living in DeKalb has caused black students to come together as one unit and rise up,” he said.

Wright said she had a good experience growing up in DeKalb.

“I was blessed with a good family,” she said. She said she makes sure her daughter has black dolls to play with and brown crayons to draw people.

Katie Stoddard, a substitute teacher for DeKalb High School, said NIU and DeKalb must work together to solve the problems raised at the discussion.

“These issues must be addressed by the university and the city,” she said. “They operate as two separate units.”