Campus celebrates black history

By Emily Bjorklund

February at Santa Clara offers more than just Valentine's Day, midterms and another three day weekend. Beginning next week, students can participate in the on-campus and nationwide recognition of Black History Month.

Last week's celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth and life served as a kick-off for a lineup of events in honor of Black History Month. Igwebuike, the African-American branch of the nine clubs in the Multi Cultural Center (MCC), hosted the MLK Night in Mayer Theatre. The event showcased five, one-act plays from the Negro Museum, a performance by a cappella group the Stanford Talismen and a performance by Santa Clara Professor Aldo Billingsley of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Igwebuike Co-President Terrence Boyd, Jr., was pleased by the impressive audience turnout and the success of the performances. He hopes that the Santa Clara community will show continued support for what he calls a "cultural showcase and progressive tour through the history of black America and Africa."

February was first designated Black History Month in 1926 to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of blacks to the United States. Thirty-nine years later, in 1965, the first Santa Clara Black Student Union was established.

In 1984, the union adopted the name "Igwebuike," which means "strength in numbers" in the Nigerian language Igbo. Today the group has approximately 25 active members, including about five non-black students. Junior Leena Shaw, although not a member of Igwebuike, still celebrated Black History Month last year with a casual party at her house in recognition of the month and its meaning.

Although much has changed in the social situation of blacks since 1926, Boyd believes that it still has the same essence and maintains relevance today, especially at Santa Clara. He considers it important for students of all ethnicities to take both the African, and African-American, literature and history classes that are offered to diversify their learning experiences.

Shaw took Introduction to African American Studies with Professor Shawn Ginright, which covered an overview of basic black history.

"We studied the origin of black studies in America's schools, slavery, civil rights movement, black power movement, the evolution of jazz and hip hop," she said.

However Boyd, a junior finance major, points out that there is still an under-representation of blacks in the business world and that there are no black professors in the Leavey Business School. He does indicate that blacks have become more visible in our culture, especially in entertainment and politics, and hopes that Black History Month will even aid more in this cause.

There are many activities this month that will provide an opportunity for students of every race and background to attend. Yoana Picazo, president of Mecha el Frente, a Hispanic student organization, says that she will try to be at as many events as she can to support her fellow MCC club. For Shaw, the importance of this month is twofold.

"Black History Month was created to celebrate and commemorate those that fought for equal rights for African Americans, so of course celebration within the black community is widely represented," she said. "On the other hand, the month is also there to educate others through school, media, family and friends."

Igwebuike members will meet in Benson on Tuesday and sit down to show unity, solidarity and strength for the month's first official event, "Bum Rush Benson." In addition to Igwebuike's usual Wednesday night discussions in Shapell Lounge, there will be a poster exhibit for the second half of February. There will be African arts and crafts vendors on Feb. 24 and a cultural showcase on Feb. 26. In addition, to honor Black History Month, the usual Music at Noon every Wednesday will feature African, Afro-Caribbean and jazz performers.

One of the most important issues this month will be AIDS in the African and African-American communities. Boyd considers AIDS one of the most pertinent current issues in the black community. He urges students to come see the unique event taking place on Feb. 7, which is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Boyd called the event an interactive circle outside of Benson that will represent the world. From that population it will show the number infected with HIV/AIDS, and finally the amount of Africans and African-Americans who are in that category.

"Come out to these events, even if it means stepping outside of their comfort zone in order to acknowledge Black History Month," Boyd said. "It was a lot of hard work, time and effort put into this month and it would be a shame not to experience."

Students like Picazo set an example that Boyd urges all Santa Clara students to follow.

"Everyone should forget what their parents and teachers have told them about black history month and the black community, whether positive or negative, and just come and experience these events for themselves," he said.

* Contact Emily Bjorklund at (408) 554-4546 or ebjorklund@scu.edu.