ALANA WINGATE
Staff Writer
It’s that time of the year again when we recognize and honor the generations of African Americans who overcame immeasurable hardship to become full members of American society. In 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford established that February would serve as the national month to celebrate African American culture in the United States. Throughout Black History Month, we acknowledge and celebrate those of African American descent that have paved the way for younger generations.
The events held this month by Fredonia’s Black Student Union (BSU) make an effort to understand African American culture and welcome students and faculty from all ethnic backgrounds. Kicking off the month was the BSU’s Opening Ceremony, held on Feb. 2 in the Williams Center. The event encouraged students to join in a game of Jeopardy as the first of many events to come.
“Students should definitely look forward to our events,” said Shanty Fiqueroa, junior criminal justice major. “We know a lot of the BSU events are more historical and educational, so we wanted to add that, as well as some fun, in a way where everyone can join in and it’s more inclusive for the entire campus.”
Events hosted on campus by BSU raise awareness of the month, while also stressing inclusivity.
“We are a club that empowers the people that look like us, but that doesn’t mean that we are ignorant to those who don’t look like us. We actually welcome them,” said Nyles Emile, BSU Vice Event Chair, sophomore and English/acting major.
One group that has teamed up with the BSU to bring Fredonia this unique set of events is the Intercultural Center.
“Dr. Douglas L. Hoston, Jr., will present on John Henryism, the art and science of successful academic success, for marginalized students,” said David M. White, Fredonia’s Educational Development Director.
This year marks BSU’s 47th annual salute to Black History Month. The union plans to use the events to not only celebrate black culture but educate others on the matter.
“It’s important for not only Fredonia students, but also faculty and staff, to see African American scholars,” White said. “Being able to bring them on campus, I think, is really meaningful to our African American students [because] the entire campus community needs to see more scholars of color, and get a chance to meet and greet visiting lecturers on campus.”
Houston, a professor of Urban Education at SUNY Buffalo State University, will present “John Henryism: Strategies to Develop Healthy Hard Work Study Habits” on Feb. 21.
As many of us know, racism is unfortunately still alive and well in America, thus giving the BSU even more reason to use Black History Month and these events to educate and make change.
“I feel like it’ll be beneficial because we’re not offering ignorance back. We’re not looking to make anyone else more uncomfortable. This is going to be a good space … a comfortable space,” Fiquero said. “It’s going to be a space [where] even if you are ignorant, if you come, you’re still going to be educated on Black history, and anything that’s a Black celebration at the moment. I feel like it’s kind of like killing it with kindness, not in a way that ignores the [negative] energy, but [instead] puts that energy into something else … You get better [because] of it.”
When it comes to dealing with ignorance in America, White shares that there is only one way to help bring an end to it.
“The way to combat ignorance is with knowledge and awareness, and I think the BSU’s mission statement is just that: to promote peace and establish understanding. That’s what it’s about,” White said. “It’s unfortunate that we tend to only concentrate on it during Black History month, but it should be done throughout the year.”
Even though the events will attempt to educate attendees, BSU prioritizes providing an environment of excitement and energy with their events.
“It’s been 50 years of hip hop. I was like, ‘You know what, let’s incorporate that to start off the week.’ For Tuesday, I’m doing ‘Rap Your Flag,’ for everyone to rap where they’re from,” Emile said.
Some of the events will be catered by Buffalo vendors, providing food that is in keeping with the African American culture.
“Soul food is our culture,” Emile said. “I found caterers from all over Buffalo that catered soul food. I was calling people, and ‘Classic Soul’ really was the right place.”
BSU has also teamed up with other clubs under the Intercultural Center, including the EnFusion Dance Team, Sister Circle, Divine Sound, the Fredonia Feminists and Pride Alliance at Fredonia.
Considering the effect the pandemic had on so many of us, the BSU recognizes event attendance is not what it used to be. They are pulling out all the stops to encourage everyone to come out and show their support.
“It’s definitely much harder these days to have an event just because, you know, COVID happened and people got so accustomed to being in their own spaces,” Fiqueroa said. “We try to draw as much attention as we can and it may not seem like it does much, but it does so much.”
The BSU Solidarity Week begins on Feb. 19. The BSU will host several African American-inspired events throughout Solidarity Week, before it ends on Feb. 25. The final event of the week will be their Closing Ceremony on Feb. 25, in the Williams Center Multi Purpose Room from 6 to 10 p.m.
Those looking for more information about the Black Student Union and their upcoming events can reach out to them via their Instagram page @BSUFredonia, where they will be posting further information regarding events.