Tatyana Ross
Editor-in-Chief
Jackson State University held the 2nd annual Black History Cultural Explosion on Feb. 14. This year, the Fisk Jubilee Singers were featured along with several JSU performance arts organizations. The event was sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and the Institute for Social Justice and Race Relations.
Despite sparse attendance, the student participants all performed as if the house was packed. Students showcased their talents in Western classical music, music and dance from Africa, spoken word, and presentations by student and university leadership.
Chair of the Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Speech Communication Eboni Lumumba, Ph.D., served as program guide for the event.
The event began with greetings from the Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Mister JSU and the Student Government Association president after the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” led by a senior music major and accompanied by the JSU Wind Ensemble.
Dean Bessie House-Soremenkun, Ph.D. said, “Indeed, we owe a great deal to the vison and fortitude of the very brilliant black scholar, the late Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who initiated the very first Black History Week in 1926 and it was later expanded to become Black History Month. He believed that opportunities should be created to discuss and identify the multifarious ways in which African-American people have made significant contributions in the development of this country. There is no doubt that these impacts have traversed virtually every aspect of American life, including politics, entrepreneurship, economic development, the legal arena, sports, academia, the arts, the non-profit sectors, and beyond. The data is clear, that when
African-Americans have been given the opportunity to participate and learn, that they can do as well as, and in some cases, better than anyone else.
She added, “I am aware that we are in a very unique historical moment, not only here in the United States, but also globally. There are numerous opportunities that have opened up for people of color and people of every persuasion to do the best, to go beyond, and it was certainly very different in the old days when things were dramatically different. So, I want to challenge all you to go the step beyond and push that envelop forward and to keep marching towards success.”
Filling the auditorium with music and dancing, the JSU African Dance and Drum Ensemble gave a lively performance that had members of the audience visualizing scenes from the motherland as the dancers swayed, gyrated and clapped in beat with the drummers.
Chair and Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology Lisa Beckley-Roberts, Ph.D., said in a press release about the event, “In every period of resistance, triumph, or achievement musicians and artists have been at the forefront for people of African descent. Artists are the storytellers in our community so it is only fitting that we host this celebration of the history of African Americans here at JSU.”
Mark Henderson, Ph.D., introduced the MADDRAMA Performance Troupe, which did a tribute to the black church. Henderson stated that this tribute recognized the strong foundation the church has played in black culture.
Next up was the amazing Fisk Jubilee Singers.
“Like the rich history that JSU has and the place within American history that Thee I Love holds, Fisk and the Jubilee Singers have such an amazing history, legacy, and future,” said Beckley-Roberts in the press release. “Our departments and the work of our institutions center our students and fostering them becoming artist activists. It is my hope that this will be the first of many collaborative efforts to do that work!”
Assistant Professor of Music Ramon Jackson, DMA, had this to say about the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
“This is a very prestigious group of musicians who have paved the way for so many. We need to celebrate the history of African Americans and the lineage that has shaped us today. The singers are performing spiritual songs that influenced modern gospel,” said Jackson in a press release.
The group gave two heartfelt songs that drew a standing ovation from the attendees.
Jackson State student leaders also contributed to the program.
Joshua Edwards, the 6th Mister JSU, had this to say about why celebrations like these are needed.
“Black history is filled with the vision of many heroes who desired to elevate and change the environment they inhabited. Their vision and willingness to make it a reality is a power that was and is successful despite the racism, injustices and oppression that we have encountered,” said Edwards, a senior journalism and media studies major. “In 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded Negro History Week into a full month however, black history is more than a month. It is designed to highlight and celebrate the innovative, creative, revolutionary, influential and life changing contributions blacks have contributed to society. It does not only acknowledge the past, but also the current 365 days of the black experience. It is not struggle; it is strength.”
Jackson, who served as the Cultural Explosion committee chair, thanked all that organized and participated in the event.
“This month of February is dedicated to celebrate Black History Month. The annual commemoration honoring the many varied contributions of African-Americans to U.S. history. Starting as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson, the observance has evolved to an entire month with every president since 1976 designating February as Black History Month. I believe every day is worthy to honor our black heritage because our members have made enumerable contributions to society that have made advancements in science, medicine, technology, politics and education,” said Jackson. “Therefore, we pause to remember their efforts and realize that each day we stand on their broad shoulders as we endeavor to make our own indelible marks in history.”
He added, “Let us continue building on the legacy of our ancestors as we break barriers, build bridges, change and challenge lives each and every day. I challenge each of you to continue to work hard to achieve at highest level. Be strong in your conviction. Insist on being treated with the fairness you deserve and continue always to keep justice.”
Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs Consandra McNeil, Ph.D., gave closing remarks about the program as she applauded the work of the talented students and committee that put the celebration together. She also spoke on the student attendance.
“We would all like for more students to have been here today to see this. But I thought about something, I said ‘If we stop, what would happen, if we stop,’ said McNeil. “We cannot stop. If only 5 students, 10 students, 20 students, 30 students (attend)… one day we will get to that 100 students. But we are not going to stop having this event and not express our culture here at Jackson State. I leave you with the words of Mary McLeod Bethune, ‘The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.’
McNeil reiterated, “We will not stop. Let the drums of Africa continue to beat in our hearts.”
Amaya Baker contributed to this article.
