by Emma Fleming
This February, Parkland College will host various Black History Month events. The events will take place throughout the month. According to the Parkland Website, this year’s theme for the activities is “History, Heritage and Hope: Looking Forward.” The events will include faculty led discussions, student led presentations, a cultural fashion show, and a luncheon. The different events will touch on religion, AfroFuturism, racialized stress, relationships, art, diversity, politics, popular culture, fashion, and spoken word. Nichalas Sanders, Associate Director of Admissions and an organizer of the Black History Month events, states that, “Students will get a mix of educational presentations, fun activities such as a fashion show and spoken word, and things that showcase people’s experiences.” The events are open to students and to the public and are intended to celebrate African American achievement through student engagement.
Other than the Black History Month Kickoff that was held on Jan. 30th, the first event will be “Reasons to Rethink Black History Month” on Feb. 5th at 1 p.m. in room U140. Dr. Joe Walwik, Social Sciences and Human Services faculty chair, will lead this Dine and Discuss event to talk about the ways we recognize and observe Black History Month. Following this event, on Wednesday, Feb. 6th the Black Student Success Project will host an event about relationships within the African American community from 1-2 p.m. in room U140. According to the Parkland website, this event “is a popular one with Parkland College Students.”
One of the Black History Month events will be led by Amber Landis, an English professor and the Director of Parkland’s Literature Program. Landis’ event, entitled “Black Panther and AfroFuturism,” will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 12-1 p.m. in room U140. When asked about what her event entails, Landis said, “I am going to bring a bunch of books; I am going to show some video clips. I’m going to show part of a TED Talk by Nnedi Okorafor when she talks about what AfroFuturism is…and why the whole idea of the future being African is a really appealing one.”
Landis describes AfroFuturism as a mixture of traditional African culture, modern science, and technology. “If you liked Black Panther then you will probably like AfroFuturism in terms of science fiction,” Landis says, “But also in really imaginative ideas about what it is like to have a society based on traditional culture but also having really futuristic technologies.” The Black History Month events range from discussions about Afro Futurism and Black Muslims in the United States to a student led fashion show. There will be a range of events to appeal to the different interests of the student body.
Students, faculty, and the public are encouraged to attend Parkland’s Black History Month events. “Everyone is encouraged to attend,” Sanders states, “I think the sessions are helpful for all students and staff regardless of color. I hope students learn and have fun at these events.” This year’s “History, Heritage and Hope: Looking Forward” themed events are meant to shine light on the African American experiences of the past, present and future. These activities encourage pride, learning and understanding of African American culture. “I think that students should take away pride in black culture from these events,” Landis says. “It is black history month and we should celebrate the fact that African culture is the foundation of modern civilization. Black history month is about reversing the stereotypes.”
Most of the Black History Month events will be held in Parkland’s U and D wings. For more information about Parkland’s Black History Month activities, head to the Parkland website at www.parkland.edu or look for the posters around campus.
