By Jaliyah Fitch, Opinions Editor
With the start of February comes not just the holiday of love, but the arrival of Black History Month, a time to reflect on the great endurance and contributions African Americans have made in our society and history on a worldwide scale. Here at Moreau, our Black Student Union takes the initiative to share the black excellence of its students during Unity Week!
On Monday, February 9, the BSU rally will take place in the main gym. In previous years, the BSU graced mariners with a display of various aspects of African American culture in the forms of dance, music and games! This year, we got an inside look on the development behind the rally, and some things Mariners should expect to see during the rally.
In an interview with the President of the Black Student Union, Senior Alijah Jackson gave us a few insiders on what the rally will contain. In regard to the skit, Jackson said that the skit is “based in the 1900’s with the focus on a group of kids preparing for a talent show,” and in a reference to historical events, the skit includes the mention of Rodney King and his brutalization by the police in 1992. Students can expect this skit to be a fun, but deep and insightful experience about the impacts of police brutality and the power of being united as a community, very befitting with Unity Week.
When asked what he expects Mariners to look forward to, Jackson commented, “I’m excited for them to see what we can come up with for these dances, and I’m most proud of how many people we have here [contributing to the rally].”
In recent years, the BSU has only continued to grow in size, and that has most certainly reflected in the liveliness of the project! The skit will also include dances: a line dance known as “Stroll” – popular with Black Fraternities, Majorette (a mix of jazz and hip-hop dance most commonly found in marching bands), and group dances alike!
With the rally approaching so soon, it’s also important to reflect on why sharing Black history is so important. According to Jackson, it’s important because “we’re [African Americans] able to express how we feel better, and not have to hide who we are.”
In the same conversation, Jackson expressed that it’s a way to preserve and honor the history of those who fought for equality and freedom in their own ways. Whether it be through the contribution of art, activism, literature, and beyond, African American history is necessary to preserve as it is a reflection of American history.
I look forward to the rally, and the BSU hopes that Mariners will enjoy the demonstration of Black excellence! Happy Black History Month!
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