February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, the Pan-Afrikan Student Organization (PASO) will sponsor three events that will celebrate, as well has help students to understand African American history and culture. All students are invited to join PASO for Spoken Word Feb. 13, a Spades Tournament Feb. 17 and a Hip Hop and African Modern Dance event Feb. 20.
“Black History Month is great for educating people about the past, both African-American and non,” Mohamed Hassan, a junior Geography major, said.
The first of these events, Spoken Word, features Voices Merging, a University of Minnesota – Twin Cities group, and will take place Feb. 13 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Courtyard Café.
“We did this event last year on Valentine’s Day and it went over really well,” Sophomore Communications Major and Head Student Coordinator of Black History Month celebrations Taymara Williams said. Voices Merging will perform spoken word and slam poetry beginning around 7:15 p.m., while the earlier time will be dedicated to a workshop on how to write and perform spoken word.
Interested students can learn how to produce their own spoken word pieces and then stay to see the U of M group performing their work.
“[Spoken word] is very popular with college-aged students, and it’s a form of poetry that allows a great deal of expression,” Director of Multicultural Programs Virgil Jones said.
On Feb. 17, PASO will be hosting a Spades tournament in the Dive from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Spades is a partnered card game in which each pair of players bids on the number of hands they will win each round. The tournament welcomes experienced and novice players; students can learn as they play. Uno will also be played in addition to the Spades tournament.
Debra McGee will be featured in the Hip Hop and African Modern Dance event held Feb. 20 from 1:00 p.m to 3:25 p.m. in the Kresge Dance Studio.
McGee is a Minnesota native that performs and teaches African influenced dance styles. Students are invited to learn Hip-Hop and African Modern Dance in four separate 30 minute sessions with McGee.
“We wanted to hit every aspect of culture that we could,” Williams said, “This event combines African music and dance.” There will be two sessions of each style, and pre-registration is required. The sign-up sheet is available in the Diversity Center.
Other remembrances during Black History Month include a Unity Dinner attended by the Diversity Leadership Council and other student leaders, a newsletter from the Diversity Center and displays in the Campus Center featuring prominent African American historical figures.
“It’s important for [African American students] to be able to express and take pride in their culture. It’s also important for everyone else; we can all be more educated about our past. African American history is American history,” Jones said.
The various activities of Black History Month add exciting activities to the cold month of February.
“The eventes are a great motivator for brining people together,” Hassan said.