Campus celebrates Kuumba with week of culture

Events spread over a week pay recognition to tradition, spread culture

Kuumba, or creativity in Swahili, has brought many exceptional and educational cultural experiences to the campus and community over the past week. Sponsored and created by Afrikan Heritage House, the African-American Studies Department and members of Abusua, the black student union, Kuumba has a long-term tradition in the black student community but has generally been overlooked by the rest of the campus.

Senior Joy Williams said Kuumba "serves as a teaching device to those who don't have that type of exposure to or an appreciation for African-American art forms."

On Nov. 16, writer Kevin Powell, author of recognize,  spoke in Afrikan Heritage House's Lord Lounge on the pressing issue of "The State of Black Youth." Religious followers of MTV's The Real World  would recognize him as the young aspiring poet who attended Rutgers University. Powell currently teaches English at New York University and writes for several publications such as The Amsterdam News, Rolling Stone, Essence, Emerge  and The New York Times.

Powell's lecture on "The State of Black Youth" centered around his belief that we must never "underestimate the level of self hatred that permeates our communities."

Addressing the issues of gender identification, racism, sexism, escapism, and even the exploitation of the hip-hop generation, Powell examined how these entities, born out self hatred, so adversely effect the black community and the world as a collective.

His lecture also stressed the importance of social awareness and activism. He said "If we choose to be numb in our communities, we will never get it."

Nov. 17's activities focused on communion as the morning was opened with the first meal of the day. Soul Breakfast, organized by second year, Althea Nicholson, featuring Oberlin's Gospel Choir, "Voices for Christ," was a celebration in unity and self love as black students and black faculty members joined together for a morning filled with peace of mind and cultural awareness.

"It was a time for fellowship," said Nicholson. "The black staff faculty was sent a letter so that it could be a time for us to commune outside of the academic arena of Oberlin College."

Black Con Night, organized by sophomore Annie Moffett, is an opportunity for Oberlin's black Conservatory students to display their talents in the genre of classical music. Due to the fact that the enrollment number of black students in the Conservatory is so few, an opportunity like Black Con Night serves as a time to highlight these excellent musicians and the advancements that they have made in the world of music.

Nov. 19 at 8 p.m the Cat and the Cream featured Zami and Nia Poetic, which was sponsored by junior Melody Waller. The idea was to bring together a group of people who love poetry and prose as Waller does.

"People were always reading poetry at Soul Sessions and it was generally the same people at every Soul Session," said Waller. "So I wrote down the names of those people and asked them if they wanted to start a poetry group."

From this grew a society of black students who not only love poetry as an art form but also as a medium to convey their feelings , opinions and thoughts on a world that conjures both a great deal of thought and frustration.

It's Showtime at the 'Sco, or what has been traditionally known as Soul Sessions, is yet another opportunity for black students to display their talents, only the stage is open to all forms of creativity.

Senior Zakia Redd, the organizer of the event, said "Black Con Night is a time for people in the Con but Showtime is just a fun time for everyone to perform. Since Kuumba is the celebration of creativity, Soul Sessions is definitely a medium through which we can be creative."

Tonight at 8 p.m. the Essence Dancers presents Talkin about Hoofin'.   This tribute to the Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Decade will feature several tap pieces choreographed by first year Rashida Bumbray and co-choreographed by sophomore Robyn Brazeale.

"Hoofin' " is the traditional form of tap dancing performed by such famous hoofers as the 1930s flash tap duo Coles and Atkins and the acclaimed Gregory Hines. Another feature to look forward to are the two dance troupes who focus on African dance and movement.

The first group, choreographed by sophomore Ijeom Anusionwu, is called the Atilogwu Dancers. Atilogwu is Igbo for "Magic has been put into it." This fun and festive choreography has some acrobatic featuers and is quite entertaining for all that plan to attend.

The second dance troupe is called Black Oasis. Black Oasis features seniors Diepiriye Kuku, Farah Woodall and Malleata Carson. Black Oasis has made appearances in several Oberlin College Dance productions and are certain to make their mark again at Essence.

To complete the week, there will be a Kuumba Party at 8 p.m in Langston Hall's Starlight Lounge. The theme is jazz in the 1920s and the attire is "dress to impress." Admission is $3 per person and $5 per couple.

Kuumba's importance to the black community runs much deeper than most would like to believe. Yes, it is a time for entertainment but it is also a time for a recognition not easily acquired and a self-awareness so easily forgotten. Kuumba's impact on the black community is a grand one, for it not only highlights the accomplishments and achievements of a people but it also brings them together.

The Real WorldWriter Kevin Powell came to speak at Afrikan Heritage House about "The State of Black Youth." Of MTV fame, Powell now teaches at New York University, as well as being a writer for several publications including the New York Times.  The lecture was a part of Kuumba, a week designed to celebrate black culture and creativity. (photo by Annie Greenberg)