RubyScanlan

On Feb. 24, Marian students celebrated African culture with a Black History Month Crusader Activity Block (CAB) featuring different traditions and aspects of the diverse African diaspora. The Black Student Leadership Council (BSLC) teamed up with the Board of Belonging (BOB) to bring Black culture into the spotlight and recognize the diversity within the school. 

Director of Belonging, Ms. Ty Nared, and the BOB have worked in unison to introduce different CABs to Marian focused on culture and heritage months. “[We] wanted to be able to showcase the diversity within our building,” Nared said. “We have just taken it a step further, outside of Culture Day, by wanting to recognize the differences in our community all throughout the year.” 

The Black History Month CAB highlighted different forms of expression through color, song, dance and poetry. Students emerged into leadership positions, helping to organize and host the event. It was “a different depiction, unlike what we have done in the past, and it’s more student-led this year, I would say, than any other year,” Nared said. 

This year, the CAB featured the talents of senior MajieAhna Winfrey, who read her poem “The Red Hats vs. The Realist,” which challenges students to think critically about justice, truth and cultural identity. Winfrey’s poem challenged listeners to consider how history repeats itself and what it truly means to be an American. 

The African Culture Connection came in to feature traditional art, dances and culture of the African continent. Musicians played traditional instruments, like doumbeks and djembes, both popular drums used in West Africa, and shekeres, dried gourds covered with a net of beads or seeds. 

As musicians played, dancers clad in colorful African clothing and fabrics performed fluid and meaningful movements. 

One of the dances displayed was a sacred dance, a numberthat includes colorful garments with the shapes of animals to honor and remember their ancestors. Remembering those who have passed away is an important spiritual practice in several African cultures. 

Trivia about Africa’s geography helped to clarify stereotypes and eliminate the common misconceptions displayed in today’s media. Students were reminded that Africa is a continent with six different regions and 55 countries, each with their own cultures, traditions and ways of life. Participants who correctly answered a question were rewarded with shell necklaces and bracelets. Students were left with a reminder that everyone is united, no matter how different daily life is for every person.  

Students were able to be involved in the CAB and get hands-on experience, with a group of girls volunteering to perform a traditional African song and dance.

One of these students was junior Dottie Smith. “I wanted to join because it seemed like a lot of fun!” Smith said. “The dancers representing their culture definitely made everyone feel welcome to participate so that’s exactly what I did,” Smith said. She enjoyed the immersion of the experience, noting how lively and energetic the environment was. With the instruction of the African Culture Connection, students and teachers, danced to the rhythmic drums, imitating the movements of the dancers.

One of the six Marian core values is community, and the observance of diverse cultures unites the student body through deeper understanding and respect. In the end, we’re better together, no matter our differences.