By Jackie Roberts
Contributing Writer
Students and staff from every corner of St. Bonaventure gathered to celebrate Black History Month. A mix of emotions flooded campus after the Black History Month show put on by the Black Student Union (BSU) in The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Monday.
Students Troy Deweever and Ashley Earl, both members of BSU, hosted the event.
A performance of the Black National Anthem kicked off the show as the first act of the night. Bona’s student Angelise Vargas sang the anthem with Troy Deweever on the guitar.
In the following act, Jonelle Massey performed a liturgical flag dance. Massey swayed to the song “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr. The emotional interpretation of the song set the tone for the remainder of the show.
The show included an hour-long stage presentation from “Portraits of Courage: African-Americans You Wish You Had Known,” an examination of overlooked African-Americans and their contributions to American history. Playwright Colin Cox created “Portraits of Courage.” He said he was surprised at the absence of African-American figures in today’s history books, according to a university press release.
Cox created a theatrical piece to help recognize the African-Americans who helped shape our country. Two actors — Chris Hampton and Daniele Watts, portrayed historically-based characters who have influenced science, the economy, civil rights, education, sports and the arts.
St. Bonaventure students appreciated “Portraits of Courage.”
Freshman journalism and mass communication major Ryan McDonough said he thoroughly enjoyed the show.
“I was very impressed with the monologues that walked up through African-American history,” he said. “It was great acting, very informative.”
Members of the SBU Step Team were next to take the stage. At the end of their performance, the team spoke of how stepping reflects diversity.
The final act of the night was a dance by “Kings and Queens of Africa.” For this act, BSU members performed to upbeat African rhythms. Both the SBU Step Team and the “Kings and Queens of Africa” captivated audience members while embodying the themes of Black History Month.
“The entire show was moving,” said Chernice Martin, a freshman sports studies major. “I thought the last two acts were especially entertaining. They were exciting and cheerful. I’m really glad I went to the show. I learned so much about African-American history and the show was entertaining.”
We can acquire knowledge regarding black history in the United States through classes or textbooks. However, after leaving the show, students had a much greater understanding of the struggles and prosperity of African-Americans throughout history. Those in attendance said the show was a pleasure to watch, and educational as well.
Yvonne Makl, Damietta center coordinator, gave the closing remarks. She thanked the members of BSU and the Campus Activities Board for sponsoring the event.
A collaboration of the efforts and funding from the Black Student Union, the Campus Activities Board and the Damietta Center made this event possible, she said.
The Black History Month Show reinstated the values of progression in the U.S. to St. Bonaventure students. As stated in the African-American National Anthem which opened the show, “Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us / Facing the rising sun of our new day begun / Let us march on ‘till victory is won.”
Overall, the show was an interesting look into African-American culture. The performances gave audience members a new perspective on some of the traditionally understood principals of cultural diversity.
