By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
photo | Brianna WallenBulletin board in honor of Black History Month, on display at Connecticut Hall on Feb. 17.
Psychology major Dalice Urera, a sophomore, said that she enjoys celebrating Black History Month (BHM), as it is an opportunity for her to learn more about resilience and contributions of African Americans.
“I love learning about Black History,” Urera said. “America was built on their backs.”
The month-long celebration from Feb. 1 to March 1, is a time for reflection, education and commemoration.
At the university, many events are hosted to honor the legacies of African Americans and provide students and campus community members with opportunities to engage with their history and learn about their achievements through lectures, cultural activities and discussions.
Early childhood education Priscilla Adebambo, a junior, said that her email is filled with notifications about events to celebrate and honor BHM.
“I feel like there’s always a lot of events going on,” Adebambo said. “I’ve seen the posters going around and there’s always emails informing us about it.”
While the university puts effort into celebrating the holiday, many students have noticed a decline in the level of celebration over time. Healthcare studies major Kisha Francois, a senior, said that she observed that the enthusiasm for BHM has diminished as she has spent more time at the university.
“I feel like it’s been a little quiet,” Francois said. “I’ve seen more effort in the past years and more programs advertised back then.
Despite this, many students have said that Connecticut Hall has caught their eye due to its consistent effort to showcase and celebrate BHM.
“I really love the banners in Connecticut Hall, and I like how they always have something going on and they’re always celebrating something or someone,” Adembamo said.
The dining hall is decked out in BHM decorations. From gold tapestries to vibrant banners, many students have taken a liking to their efforts.
Additionally, Connecticut Hall also serves food that is embedded in black culture.
This can help to represent the rich culture of African Americans and immerse the campus community in their cuisine.
“Conn always does their big one,” Francois said. “They always have days where they put out different foods for BHM.”
Urera said that the food does not go unnoticed, as many students enjoy it.
“Last week they had soul food, which was fried chicken and mac and cheese,” Urera said. “The fried chicken was really good with some hot sauce.”
Whether it is Connecticut Hall or organizations under the university hosting events or spotlighting the celebration, Adebambo said that their initiative demonstrates the university’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating student heritage.
“It really lets us know that Southern cares and that they truly value us and our history,” Adebambo said.
As events and activities appear on the calendar, many students value the importance of attending and even learning more about the history of African Americans.
Adebambo, who attended the “Martin Luther King Unity Lecture” last week, said she puts emphasis on carving out time to attend more events.
She also encourages students and staff to do the same.
“We live in a time where there are many people and forces trying to erase Black History, so I think it is really important to take the opportunity now to learn,” Adebambo said.
