February rolls in with snow and colder weather – but also with the celebration of African American culture around the United States and HU.
The multicultural affairs council, or more known as MAC, has been getting ready for their first event of the year – Black History Month, and freshman Adrianna McNab was in charge of the whole event planning and organizing.
McNab planned four different events during the course of the month — a discussion about race and a movie night, discussion at the MCA, the Soulful Cafe, and Trap Karaoke Night.
Before the 21 students that participated, carpooled and watched “Black Panther” at the Huntington 7, they had a discussion after the movie with question given by a MAC member.
“I’ve never been to Africa, but with watching the movie, I think I will learn some things,” says a student when asked about the showcase of the “melting pot” of African cultures that are encounterd in the movie.
Another student mentions how sometimes, the enemy might be inside our own culture, and it’s something that we have to take into account.
In itself, the discussion touched recurrent themes that appeared in the film, but also things that are relevant in the United States and world.
McNab thinks it’s good to have these type of conversations and the representation and impact of these movies on the black community as a whole.
Other events that McNab was excited for were the Soulful Café, Trap Karaoke Night and a discussion about race in America.
Soulful Café (which happened on the 21) made its second appearance for Black History Month. It was an event where people ate, listened to some jazz and heard students recite some spoken words.
Karaoke was specifically based on trap music and black music, and the discussion (on the 19) had its doors open for everyone who wanted to participate.
McNab said anybody was invited to the events and that they provide a safe place for people to talk about race.
She is the only African American student on MAC, and it gives her a more insightful view on how to organize the events and reflect the key points of her culture when planning.
“Although it’s not a very long month — I mean, its February,” she says, “Still, to have this month where you can highlight different achievements, accomplishments, things of that nature — that’s really cool to do.”
MAC always tries to give a space to cultures and students to celebrate their heritage and culture — even if it is just for a month — where they can feel appreciated and recognize the magnitude of having a whole month to celebrate.
McNab mentions the importance of having a multitude of events focusing on diversity and promoting it around campus. It makes students value each other — something that as Christians, she thinks needs to be followed.
“If you don’t see different cultures, you can’t really appreciate different cultures once you get out into the real world,” McNab says. “That’s why everybody is welcomed, so I don’t want anybody to ever feel like, ‘Oh it’s Hispanic heritage month, I can’t go,’ or, ‘It’s black history month, I can’t go.’ No! that’s not the case at all. We welcome everyone.”
McNab wants everybody attending the events to come with an open mind and active participation, since the reason for the existence of the events is to culturally enrich the campus.
MAC appreciates the input they get from students, and they see it as beneficial when all sides contribute together.
McNab hopes that Black History Month events can spark conversations around campus, but it’s not an expectation.
“I would love [for everyone] to come,” McNab says while smiling, excited for the events. “It would be great!”
The Huntingtonian 