Hundreds of people gathered in the Price Center Plaza last Thursday at noon to watch the Black History Celebration.
The event was part of a move to increase student awareness of African Americans’ contributions to American history as part of Black History Month.
The celebration featured various acts displaying cultural traditions that originated from the African continent, ranging from African stilt walkers and Bomani drummers to a step show put on by the students of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a performance by the UCSD Gospel Choir.
The boys and girls of Keiller Middle School were also on hand to perform a montage entitled “”Facing the Rising Sun.”” During this presentation, Mrs. Davis and her sixth grade students took center stage in the Price Center Plaza and electrified the crowd by reading from the works of various African-American poets, writers and leaders, including Harriet Tubman and Langston Hughes.
One such student was Deandre Lester, a sixth grader at Keiller Middle School, who passionately read two poems written by Langston Hughes, an African American poet who became popular during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.
“”I think it was a really good presentation,”” Lester said. “”I was [nervous] at first, but then after I said my first part I wasn’t that nervous.””
The children’s performance was well received by the crowd, which consisted of students, parents and university employees.
One spectator was Kristin LeAndre, a university employee who admits she came to see the step show, but was impressed by the children’s performance.
“”I thought it was great, the kids were wonderful,”” LeAndre said. “”They were very articulate [for] a middle school.””
The Marshall Dean of Student Affairs, Ashanti Houston Hands, who served as the MC for the event, feels that black history is an important part of America’s past.
“”Today is the celebration of Black History Month and African American culture,”” Hands said. “”We just wanted to provide the opportunity for our campus to be exposed to all the rich tradition through music, dance and the spoken word.””
For many students, the celebration of black history is truly important. African Americans’ role in American history is often minimized or, in some cases, forgotten.
“”We can certainly always do more,”” Hands said. “”I think we do make a nice effort on campus, but I think when we really feel that the level of diversity has been achieved that we would all anticipate, [black history] would be woven into the overall curriculum and not just be a specific department or separate issue.””
Nneka Udoh, a Warren junior, admits being troubled that black history is not always seen as a part of American history.
“”Black history is American history, and I don’t understand why we have to take the time to celebrate black history on this token month,”” Udoh said. “”Why can’t we celebrate black history every single day?””
The Black History Celebration was sponsored in part by Marshall college and the Cultural Association Uniting Students through Education, better known as C.A.U.S.E.
