Africa Night 2012 gets personal. Focused on a more holistic representation of what it means to be African, students of the Pan African Student Organization (PASO), who organize the annual celebration, have focused the evening around countries that more accurately represent the vast array of cultural backgrounds within their own organization. Calling their concept “expanding borders,” students who led the campaign hope that Africa Night will encourage people to conceptualize an Africa that goes beyond an often times simplistic understanding of the culture and the people.

“We wanted to educate people; let them know that Africa is more than just a continent. There are people there with a rich culture and heritage that is spread throughout the world,” co-president of PASO Muresuk Mena said.

Fellow Co-president, Valentina Muraleedharan echoed this concept of realizing the vast influence of a global Africa.

“We want to truly encompass Pan Africa and that would include places in South America, the Caribbean, and the West Indies region.”

“There’s different identities and personalities within PASO—Africa is the same way.”

Students in PASO who directly link their heritage to countries in Pan Africa were particularly enthusiastic about this year’s focus.

Junior, Natasha Hercules is one such student. Her parents were born in Guyana, South America and she also has ties to the Caribbean.

“When the idea for the general theme of all our events for this year to be “Expanding Borders,” I instantly thought of Africa Night and incorporating West Indian culture into it.” She noted that there are other students on campus who also link themselves to the West Indies, so it made sense to have it be one of the featured countries.

Sophomore, Sherick Francois is another student who links his roots back to the Caribbean. Francois thinks this year’s Africa Night is important because it gives voice to a perspective that is not often heard.

“By pushing the idea of ‘expanding borders’ we get the chance to experience and understand the prospective of students of the minority,” Francois said.

Hercules shared these sentiments saying, “we want the Gustavus community, that are not of the same culture as us, to understand us more by immersing themselves into our culture. Not by choice, we are immersed into their culture constantly, whether they realize it or not.”

Beyond the unique theme of this year’s Africa Night, one of the evening’s main performances will include a world-renowned dance group, the Sakumu Dance Troupe. The evening will also include Africa Night standards like dances choreographed by members of PASO, musical performances and fashion show featuring traditional African dress. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 24 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall.