Student club highlights ‘Black love’ and self care

Chandler Coleman Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Black Student Association kickstarted the celebration of Black History Month with a “Self Love Seminar” aimed at promoting a better understanding of black love in the community. This is just one of the many events UCO is hosting to commemorate African American history and culture.

annual celebration in February, celebrates African American achievements, contributions, and impact on the history and culture of the United States as a result of their contributions and accomplishments throughout history.

Association are hosting the closing event of the month, Lift Every Voice, featuring musical performances by the African-American community and speaker Dr. Fred Hammond. UCO prides itself in diversity and the Office of Inclusive Community provides equity resources for students of all races, ethnicities and religions. African-American history can be learned throughout the year at UCO. Here are some classes in the Department of History and Geography at UCO, such as:

HIST 1333 Africa Americas

HIST 2000 Civil Rights Movement

HIST 4253/5253 Black Power

HIST 4853 African American Experience

HIST 4763 Black Intellectual History

These classes and others present African American history on a variety of topics. For more information on BSA at UCO, visit ucore.uco.edu/ucobsa/ home.

The theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Black Resistance.” The message of this year emphasizes the awareness and resistance that is taking place in America. According to African American Life and History (ASALH), Black Resistance can take many forms, including “partaking in the arts, driving political action, challenging racist medical practices” and more. The theme at UCO is “Lift Every Voice,” with events such as NAACP Founders week and the Enterprise MLK Oratory Finals, in which students deliver speeches about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. On Feb. 19, the Black Student Association will host an event named “Harlem Renaissance,” paying homage to those who came before them.

Black History Month, an

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, one of the most respected Black scholars and historians, came up with the idea for Black History Week, which turned into Black History Month. The decision to turn just an everyday month into a celebration was behind the birthdays of two figures that are important in African American history: W.E.B. Dubois and Frederick Douglass.

BSA organizes events that leave a lasting impact on the Edmond community, from “Harlem Renaissance” to hosting prominent Black figures to speak to the Black Student Association. The establishment of Black History Month offers people from various backgrounds the chance to comprehend the lengthy and varied history of African Americans. This month is an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of a group that has greatly influenced American history and culture through events, exhibits, and educational initiatives.