Friday, 2/28/97
Honoring heritage
Campus programming exposes students to a celebration of African American history with a modern twist.
By Carol McKay
Daily Bruin Contributor
To Saleema Fazal, the only thing wrong with Black History Month is that it falls in February.
"There are only 28 days," said the first-year undeclared student. "There are plenty of months that have at least 30."
Fazal was one of many students who passed through the month without realizing the events being celebrated around them.
Despite numerous activities sponsored by organizations such as the African Student Union and Hedrick Hall Multicultural Programming Committee, some students agree that Black History Month was not sufficiently publicized.
"I don't think most students are well-informed about Black History Month," said Tyler Naake, a first-year undeclared student. "I know I personally don't appreciate it as much as I should."
Some students realize that reaching out is hard work.
"I think (the organizations) try to make it visible, try to let the community know what's going on," said Leon Metz, a first-year chemistry student. "People just need to listen to what's being said to be aware."
A considerable amount of work is done by black students, according to Anthony Sims, a second-year African American studies student.
As internal public relations coordinator of ASU, Sims feels that "the university itself could do more to support and promote Black History Month."
According to Sims, ASU presented several activities in addition to their bi-monthly general meetings during the month of February in celebration of Black History.
"We see Black History Month as a time to celebrate the past achievements of African Americans, but more to look to the future," Sims said.
Events sponsored by ASU earlier this month included its annual Pan-African Night. Also, a former member of the Black Panther Party spoke to audience members on organized resistance, Sims said.
Perhaps the most lively programs came from the hard work of students on the Hedrick Hall Multicultural Programming Committee, which sponsored nightly events each day this week.
Among other activities, students presented an interactive game night, a fashion show and last night's finale, the African American Heritage Night.
Wednesday night's Fashion Extravaganza, introduced by Hedrick Residential Director Delaphine Prysock and hosted by DeEtta West, was well received by an audience of approximately 150 students in the Fireside Lounge of Hedrick Hall.
"We've got a little bit of this, a little bit of that," West, a parent of one of the show's student models, called out to the crowd. "Pump it up. Pump it up!"
The fashion show was structured according to eras beginning with African roots and ending in the "1990s scene" and a wedding finale with both African and American attire.
With corresponding music and dance moves, the performance consisted of commentary reflecting more on the people, the attitudes and the times rather than the fashions.
Student models dressed as Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and the Supremes kept the audience "pumped up."
Students called out to the racially-diverse group of runway models, applauding dance moves and laughing at the wigs and warm-up suits of the '80s portion of the show.
The clothing, which was provided by various local merchants including Champs Sports, Khadim of Africa and the Gap, ranged from silly to formal.
At times, however, it was apparent that the attention was on the models in the fashions, not the clothing itself.
"Remember what we're here to check out here - the clothing," West said, as audience members gawked at the students on the cat walk.
Participants of the events sponsored by Hedrick Hall hoped to achieve many things this week.
"The program raises consciousness about things people don't usually think about," said Josh Smith, Hedrick Hall's 6 North residential assistant. As RA of the multicultural floor, Smith is also a chairperson of the Multicultural Programming Committee. He played the saxophone and sang in last night's African American Heritage Night and was in charge of Sunday night's play production.
According to Smith, Hedrick is "unofficially" designated as the multicultural residential hall. Decorated with flags from several countries outside, the hall resembles the United Nations. Hedrick's implied theme of unity has become more obvious in recent days.
"People are not going to forget this week. And they're going to look forward to it next year," said the third-year American literature and cultures student.
Students like Smith recognize the importance of Black History Month as a time to remember roots and to realize current hardships.
"(The month) is a testimony of community progress through struggle," he said. "Forget about affirmative action. Just think of the slaves. Today I'm at a university studying literature. There was a time when black people couldn't even read English.
"There are still attacks against us,"he said. "But we need to look beyond these things to the future."Anwar Jenkins, a second-year English student, helps (r.) Yago Fidani, a third-year world arts & cultures student, adjust his tie prior to going out on stage at Hedrick Hall's African American Fashion Extravaganza.
Dorm residents enjoy the African American Fashion Extravaganza presented by the Hedrick Multicultural Programming Committee on Wednesday night.