ULM’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) celebrated Black History Month with NAACP Week from Feb. 10-14. The week offered students the opportunity to enjoy several specialized events with one another.
NAACP Week began with an event titled “What’s Love Got to Do?” This event explored the journey and complexity of romantic relationships. Three groups of panelists shared some wisdom with students. The groups included a married couple, a dating couple, and a single person. Senior kinesiology major and NAACP committee member Robert Bigsby asked each group questions, such as how to move past the feeling of rejection and find self-fulfillment. Each answer reflected how relationships can differ between stages.
“Love is the most powerful thing on the planet,” guest speaker Lee Roquemore said. “It can captivate you, it can inspire you, and it can destroy you.”
The next day, the NAACP invited award-winning strategic consultant Latoya Jackson, Ph.D., to share her experience with students about wealth beyond its monetary value. She believes “wealth is about the opportunities you take.”
Jackson invited students to play Payday, the Game of Wealth, a game she invented to help people understand the concept of wealth. Students stood on various numbers and rolled a giant die. The student with the corresponding number answered a question; if answered correctly, they could stay. If not, students shouted, “Kick ‘Em Out the Classroom!” from the game show Wild ‘N Out and sat them out. The last standing participant received a prize.
Students enjoyed the liveliness of the experience, coupled with all Jackson shared.
“I learned that wealth is a mindset that needs to be sharpened through the knowledge of others,” Bigsby said.
At the end of the event, students reflected on what they had learned and defined wealth for themselves.
An open mic night on NAACP’s Founders’ Day made up the third day of the week. Students took turns singing a song of their choosing, with voices ranging in talent. Some songs included “I Would Rather Go Blind” by Etta James, “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna, and “Fireflies” by Owl City.
While most chose to sing, some took creative liberties. Senior psychology major and NAACP president Lanaya Bolden read her poem, No Hood in Me.
“It shows that there is more than one way to be Black,” Bolden said. “I grew up in the hood, and I loved education… People can look at me and assume where I came from, but you do not know.”
The week ended with a watch party. Students gathered to watch the recently released film The Sixth Triple Eight, based on the true story of the 6888th, the only all-Black female battalion unit sent overseas during World War II. The battalion, led by Colonel Charity Adams, developed the motto “No mail, low morale” after sorting through 17 million pieces of mail. Despite segregation and adversity, the group used only three of the given six months to clear up two years of backlog.
Students expressed their love for the film and its portrayal.
“I think that the movie is very entertaining, and it personally makes me feel very emotional,” freshman pre-pharmacy major Ambria Jefferson said. “I did not know the magnitude of such a crisis during wartime, nor the effect of Mary McLeod Bethune on Black women joining the Army.”
Black stories have remained hidden throughout history, so this event allowed some to be brought to light.
Though NAACP Week ended, other events are happening around campus for students to look forward to. Monroe’s annual Black Heritage Parade takes place on Feb. 22 from 10-11 a.m. The parade combines the culture of Louisiana parades with Black history, making for a good time with friends.
