Black History Month takes place the entire month of February. Different groups on campus choose to celebrate in different ways. For example, the Black Student Christian Forum hosts a variety of Tuesday short courses and vespers that highlight different Black identities, as well as plans fun events such as dating games and banquets. Other entities, such as the New Life fellowship and the University’s Center for Faith Engagement, plan special programs to celebrate the influence of black people throughout history and across campus.
To get a better sense of students’ favorite part(s) of Black History Month and their experience when it comes to the University’s celebration of the month, students were asked two questions:
1) What do you enjoy most about Black History Month and what it represents?
2) Do you think there is anything Andrews University administration can improve on in the school’s acknowledgement and celebration of the month?
In response to the first question, students said:
“I enjoy the camaraderie that comes with celebrating Black excellence. Whether that’s through hearing stories of the past or engaging with Black media. One of my favorite things, however, is taking extra time to reflect on all of the challenges we as a people have overcome.”
–Simone Jones (graduate student, speech-language pathology)
“Throughout the years, what I’ve loved most about celebrating Black History Month has been coming together as a community. I had a slower start to my own personal education on Black History, but it began with a [high school] teacher and a song. This teacher stood as a catalyst in our lives—seeing us, affirming us, and helping us recognize the power that was already in us as students. He told us to use our voices, and we did. Last year, one of my professors attended the first Impact of Black History Month, and hearing her say how proud she was of the work we were doing brought me to tears. In that moment, every ounce of effort felt worth it. By being part of the change that transforms fear and anxiety surrounding the month into understanding, Andrews University can truly… Lift every voice.”
–Natalie Makumbe (junior, speech-language pathology)
“What I enjoy most about Black History Month is probably the culture on campus: being able to share our experiences with each other and celebrate what our ancestors overcame and what they went through. Being able to celebrate together and remember that is what I enjoy the most.”
–Lauren Murray (junior, marketing)
“I enjoy having the opportunity to celebrate Black culture and the progress we have made as a people. Additionally, I love taking the time to remember significant historical figures who fought for our rights, including leaders, activists, and inventors.”
–Aaliyah Ngyou (senior, business management)
“I am a firm believer that good education is supplemented by a foundation and understanding of history. To understand and be able to objectively observe modern events (and to some degree, predict them), one needs to have as wide and accurate knowledge of history as possible. When it comes to Black History Month, which re-explores the complex and painful history of Black communities in the U.S., what I enjoy the most is the ability to learn or re-explore the events that took place and have led to the current state of and circumstances that the Black community is in. The opportunity to celebrate the month itself represents a beautiful fact: we overcame and have passed that part of history.”
–Kato Golooba-Mutebi (senior, finance)
In response to the second question, students said:
“What I believe that Andrews University can do to deepen its own understanding and acknowledgment of Black History Month is to participate. Show up, come to the vespers, ask questions, be involved not only as students, but also as faculty and staff. This is a University that prides itself on its diversity, and this is part of where we need to show it. As a previous BSCF officer, I understand the hard work that goes into making this month so special on campus.”
–Natalie Makumbe (junior, speech-language pathology)
“Although Andrews does a good job of acknowledging Black History Month, there is always room for improvement. AU can expand the celebration by having various events on campus throughout the month, educating students on the origin of Black History Month. I also believe that we should celebrate Black culture throughout the year, not only during a month.”
–Aaliyah Ngyou (senior, business management)
“I’m not certain I can think of any improvements that can be made at the institutional level. My focus is and will always be on the individual and the community. While I love the ability to celebrate it and look back, I am always curious about what we are doing to look forward. I believe that we should use the lessons of the past to better navigate the present and to work and prepare ourselves for the future we desire. Slavery, segregation, and the difficulties that were faced to achieve assimilation mean that the Black community is systematically disadvantaged and not benefiting from the things that only time and compounding can help. Significant time and investment should be spent towards educating ourselves and others on practical aspects of our lives that will benefit us and the wider community.”
–Kato Golooba-Mutebi (senior, finance)
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.