The recognition and celebration of diversity is vital on college campuses as it should be everywhere. The Black Student Association at Longwood University puts on an annual talent show as a fundraiser. Through out this event, you can see the celebration of culture and unity among the primarily African American audience and performers. Although the Black Student Association is open to the public and “open to diversity” as Tara Carr (the organization’s president) states, it’s still an organization that unites culture and accredits individuality and culture at the same time.
As several participants came on stage to sing, you could hear the audience’s enthusiasm as they cheered them on. You could hear the group’s passion for the high notes and long chords performed in the past by some of the greatest African American artists. One of those songs was Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky”. The African American culture is traditionally known for its contribution to the arts. Throughout history, their culture has always been treasured for their rhythmic and musical abilities.
Participant Travis House brought variety to the show by his poetry reading of a poem entitled “My reflection of Change”. This poem was performed in a strong tone, exemplifying nothing but passion. The passion could be felt in the room, as they cheered him on throughout the most pivotal areas of his reading. I’d assume this poem was most heartfelt due to the fact that if focused on the election of our first African American president, Barack Obama. The poem discussed how the election has changed and will continue to change his life and the life of others around him. It not only reflected the election of the first African American president, but it also reflected something deeper. It reflected the pride among African American people, and how high they have risen above the history that has been instilled in history books. We have moved so far past that and the prejudices that used to hold back our country of so much. Yet, there are still crises, global crises that we face with those residing around us.. As president Barack Obama said, it is time to “set aside childish things.”
Making peace with others is a process that is seemingly so hard for most. Although, there are many other components, true peace is derived from understanding, praise, and appreciation. We must have understanding of culture, of poverty, of suffering; praise for strength, for talent, for hope; and appreciation for patience, alliance, and each other.
We all need to listen to these four words “set aside childish things” in order build our country into the best it can be. We need to come together, not just by organization, by culture, or by country; but as a world. The reason I chose to base this off of the Black Student Association’s talent show is not because I’m random, but it’s because of what I saw in the group of people that was around me. They were, so passionately supportive of one another and in that I saw something I desired. This is the “bare bones” of everything. We need to find a way to do this as a nation and as a world.
Truly accrediting each other as the individuals we are and being understanding goes farther than one might think. We are all unique and should honor each other for that. We should all have this same passion for each other that was in Wygal Auditorium at Longwood University. If we could all have that same passion for one another, then we’d be doing fine. Yet, that is where we are at fault. No matter what race, ethnicity, gender, or age we are, we need to all be there for one another. People truly feed off of the recognition for their accomplishments and many act as though they’ve forgotten that.
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