By Katie Gager, Student Reporter The second annual Black History Fashion Show will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Bean Sprout in celebration of Black History Month. Show organizers encourage students to come and enjoy a free show full of entertainment. "I think each and every culture has their own different type of style, and it is ... [Read More…]
Here’s lookin’ at you: Show displays African-American influence on fashion
By Kelline Linton, Staff Writer When fashion model Adam Tate swaggered onto the runway, spontaneous applause swept through the crowded lobby; his tight red leather pants and flashy sunglasses were audience favorites. Other '80s models received the same positive enthusiasm with their football-style shoulder pads and bright leg warmers last Friday ... [Read More…]
The Cowboy Way
By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor James Francies, 76, asks a very direct question he said he likes to ask and waits for eyes to shift downward and people to squirm uncomfortably. "What would this world, or [the] United States be like, had it not been for slave labor?" he asks, never releasing eye contact. "Ever thought about that?" Then he ... [Read More…]
No threat in Black History Month
I'm intrigued by the threat that Black History Month presents for some. Every year we have celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month and Global Awareness Month, but no ongoing debate occurs about why we are celebrating these months. I'm certainly not advocating we start doing that, but I am curious as to why we project our fears when it ... [Read More…]
Soul Fest celebrates Black history
By Kelline Linton, Staff Writer The Soul Food Fellowship on Monday opened this year's Black History Month celebrations on campus. "The fellowship was a way of introducing the month that was enjoyable for everyone," said LaShae Grottis, director of Student Services and Student Multicultural Enrichment. The affair, which took place in the Hilton ... [Read More…]
History show coming to Cullen: Cast, crew have worked on production since November
By Lori Bredemeyer, Managing Editor This year's Black History production, Alae: The Roots are Deeper Still, will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. The play was written last summer by Takisha Knight, sophomore English major from Lake Charles, La. The story follows a girl who realizes around the time of her high school ... [Read More…]
Letter from the Editor: Separate but equal month?
By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief Is black history separate but equal? Black leaders not only say it should be, they also advocate a system of segregation against which their parents and grandparents fought. It's been 50 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that the decades-old Jim Crow of "separate but equal" ... [Read More…]
Essence prepares for black history show: Sixth production celebrates art and culture in Cullen
By Jonathan Smith, Staff Writer Essence of Ebony, a student-run black culture group, will present this year's sixth annual Black History Month production. Two performances will be shown, Feb. 7-8 in Cullen Auditorium, at 7:30 p.m. "Portraits of Color" will focus on appealing to all the spectators' senses, according to LaShae Sloan, director of ... [Read More…]
Move past the past
I have seen the dialogues between CaSaundra Jackson and her columns and the letters of both Curt Baker and Kim Roach. I think some very pertinent points were raised by all parties in an attempt to understand Black History Month. Last Friday, when the responses to my friend Curt's letter were printed in the Optimist, Curt and I, along with some ... [Read More…]
Our history is together
I agree with Curt Baker's letter about Black History Month. I certainly think it is important to recognize all significant contributions to American history, whether they be by black people or white people. I really don't think, as Jackson suggested last week, that every other month of the year is devoted to white history month. The black people ... [Read More…]