Annual Black History Month Celebration

By Vishaka Negi

As history tells us, the women’s rights movement and abolition movement went hand in hand. White women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and black men like Fredrick Douglass, amongst countless other citizens, were truly devoted to “liberty and justice for all.” The connection between these two movements is especially prevalent as February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month. So, as we go forth with March and count all the contributions of women of generations past, we should also look back upon the connection to Black history. As people strived to create a truly integrated, racially tolerant society, they have influenced mainstream culture. In fact, many African Americans, whether they were pioneers in education or legendary musicians, directly impacted mainstream culture unknowingly. Specifically, the cultures of the continent of Africa, which were brought to and sustained in America for generations, have shaped our society. The Cultural Diversity Club explored this during its annual Black History Month Celebration.

Held in the Senior Lounge on February 8th, this event was attended by many people, students and faculty members alike. As people socialized and tried out African instruments, they developed a taste for the cultures of Africa, which have, in turn, shaped history. The keynote speaker for this event, Michael Apaloo ‘12, shared his experiences from freshman year, when he moved from Ghana. With willingness to answer all questions, Michael hit home with his connections between Ghana and the United States. He maintains that the toughest part, when adjusting to America, was adjusting to the expectations and culture. The ignorance of some students was a real pet peeve for him, at first. “Over time, however,” Michael says, “I became used to it. I don’t hold anything against anyone else for not knowing where I came from.” When asked what he would like to share with other students, Michael says, “Always be willing to adjust to other people’s cultures. They say ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ At first, I was not willing to do as the Americans do. But, that was not the right approach, and I think I took a lot from the experience.”