An advertisement for “Speak on Sistas”
Photo Courtesy of Heather Harris
BY: DAVID SCIBILIA, NEWS EDITOR
Black History Month, dedicated to the teachings of work done by Black people despite hardships and oppression they have faced throughout history, began Feb. 1.
“Black History Month is significant due to a multitude of reasons,” Akim Hudson, a senior psychology major and the president of St. Bonaventure University’s Black Student Union [BSU], said. “Mostly through repression or oppression of the mind, a great portion of Black history is either deliberately not taught or it is plainly not in our epistemological [relating to the theory of knowledge] realm.”
Hudson focuses on the educational opportunity available for those willing to learn during this month.
“We have a whole month of enlightenment and educating everyone,” Hudson said. “For the entirety of our educational lives, we learn about the oppression of our people and the triumphs of our oppressors. This is the only month dedicated primarily to the good we’ve done despite our hardships.”
Heather Harris, an assistant professor of journalism and strategic communication, as well as a member of the Jandoli School of Communication’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee [DEI], speaks on the importance of this month.
“The [Jandoli] school and the [DEI] committee are both committed to bringing attention to all kinds of marginalized people on our campus,” said Harris. “Black History Month is a nice chance for us to pause and then specifically recognize Black people and their unique struggles throughout history.”
Focusing mostly on the visual aspect of communication, Harris discussed the use of images to convey messages.
“Downstairs on the walls in the corridors of the [Murphy Professional Building], there are six picture frames that carry a monthly rotating message giving a different inclusion method,” Harris said. “[February] will be dedicated to Black History Month.”
Hudson and the BSU also include visuals in their traditions revolving around Black History Month.
“[The BSU] decorates the Damietta Center with pro-Black and Afro-centric memorabilia, photos, silhouettes, quotes and so forth,” Hudson said.
In addition to this, Harris stresses the importance of getting students and community members to come to events hosted by the Jandoli School focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“[Whenever an event is coming up] we make sure that we get coverage in all school media about it,” Harris said. “[In addition to this], we post on social media to ensure people know these events are going on. They can’t attend if they didn’t know it was happening.”
On Nov. 8, St. Bonaventure and the Jandoli School in partnership with the BSU presented a night of spoken word, rap, song and more called “Hear the Brothas.”
Harris viewed this event as such a success that these organizations plan to host a similar event called “Speak on Sistas.” Still done in this Harlem Renaissance style, “Speak on Sistas” will focus on amplifying the voices of African American women.
“[Speak on Sistas] is a little bit of art, a little bit of education, a little bit of music, all wrapped up in spoken word,” Harris said. “It’s all about women’s history, and it’s going to be amazing.”
As of now, there are going to be five performers; three are coming to campus from Buffalo while two more are joining by Zoom.
“Although not all of the performers will be physically there, it will still be a great event,” Harris said. “I can’t I can’t wait to see what they bring to the stage. It’s gonna be exciting.”
Hudson comments on the BSU’s involvement in “Speak on Sistas.”
“At the moment, [the BSU] is volunteering its time to “Speak on Sistas,” Hudson said.
Echoing Harris’s call for students to participate, Hudson encourages all students to come or perform.
“[The level of involvement of the BSU] is contingent on our availability and the participation of our student body in this event,” Hudson said.
Taking place on March 13 in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, “Speak on Sistas” is on the same day as the Woman of Promise award ceremony.
“I recognize March 13 is a Tuesday, and 11:30 a.m. [when the event takes place] is a class period, but we wanted to have the event on the same day as the Woman of Promise events,” Harris said. “If you have a class that day during that time, I urge you to tell your professor that the whole class should attend. [“Speak on Sistas”] is not only giving a voice to women, but also women of color.”
Focusing on the performance styles of the “Sistas,” Harris discussed the use of spoken word rap, and song to convey messages.
“The way you shift somebody’s mindset is not to inculcate in them and lecture at them, but rather to let them discover on their own,” Harris said. “[The DEI committee] is trying to provide opportunities for people to just kind of say ‘wow, this is different.’”
Overall, Harris wants students to start talking.
“I’m a big believer that the environment affects the way we interact and feel,” Harris said. “I want students to talk about the banners we put up, the posters we put up and the events we host.”
Hudson wants students and community members to take this month as a time of learning and reflection.
“Black history is everywhere every day,” Hudson said. “Stop yourself every once in a while, and think of the inventors and revolutionaries who’ve contributed to your everyday life in ways that you’ll never understand. Never forget to respect the architect.”
Scibild22@bonaventure.edu
