Nick Cantone

On the Fly- Kache’s Blog 

As many may know, February is not just a month associated with love and brutal winter; it is also Black History Month. “All Eyez on Me” will be shown in the Murray Student Center on Wednesday, February 19th at 9:15 pm. Marist College is very much a PWI (Predominantly White Institution), so taking time to showcase important moments in black history and black figures is a big deal that the Student Government Association takes very seriously. 

The screening of “All Eyez on Me” was planned by the Marketing Managers in conjunction with the Board of Diversity and Inclusion. The Marist Diversity Council “fulfills an advisory role to the President of the College in matters related to diversity, inclusion, and equity”, according to the Marist website. The goal of the screening of “All Eyez on Me” is to spotlight the impact of and celebrate black music. 

On February 18th, in the Champagnat Breezeway, on display was a table dedicated to showing black artifacts and literature with authors from Frederick Douglass to Michelle Obama on display. The table also spotlighted HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Howard University in particular. Howard University is a prestigious black college in Washington, D.C. that was established in 1867. Howard University was chartered as a university by an act of the United States Congress of that same year. It is the only historically black university or college to hold that discussion and is known to be the “black Harvard.”

For the week of February 19th, the question posed was, “How was Black culture contributed to your life?” Answers from student participants varied. Some expressed how black culture has helped them embrace their melanin and natural hair. Others expressed thanks to how black culture has given birth to some of the most amazing inventions that still impact and influence individuals lives today such as blood banks, peanut butter, and rock ‘n’ roll! The large consensus was that as a whole black culture has contributed to many people’s lives to a large extent and didn’t get enough credit and that is where SGA is trying to bridge the gap at Marist.

One of the most interesting interactive set up that SGA has is the TV set up in the student center right at the end of the hall showing important black figures in history. That set up is apparently there for the sole purpose of education. Black individuals in history are prominent and important but may not always be known to many. According to SGA employee, Sophia Carrano, “… if they don’t know, they can learn about it”. Figures such as Toussaint Louverture, a general in the Haitian Revolution and Jean Jacques Dessaline, Louverture’s lieutenant who escaped slavery are few of many figures showcased on the screen for anyone passing by to see. 

Black History Month at a PWI is certainly a sight to see, but it is good to see all those events and step Marist SGA takes to celebrate it. Happy Black History Month!