Students passing through Free Speech Alley on Wednesday may have noticed more of a hip-hop flavor sprinkled through the crowd. The Black Culture Committee, part of the Union Program Council, hosted “Hip Hop: A Way of Life.” The event featured poetry performances, hip hop music, free airbrushed T-shirts and a performance by the Hip-Hop Coalition, a breakdancing group. Raquel Henry, biological sciences senior and chair of the Black Culture Committee, said the main purpose of the event was to share the hip-hop culture with all students. “It’s a celebration of the different aspects of hip-hop culture,” Henry said. “It’s all the different themes that make up hip-hop, and we just want the campus to experience that today.” Sylene Linde, general studies junior, said she is a somewhat of a fan of hip-hop and the activities piqued her interest. “[I stopped by] because of the breakdancing and the airbrushed T-shirts,” Linde said. “It’s a good way to get [the word about hip-hop] out to people, and I think a lot of people will stop by.” Students stood in Free Speech Alley to watch the breakdancers demonstrate their skills. Derick Madlen, psychology sophomore, has been break dancing for four years and said the venue of “Hip-Hop: A Way of Life” was not what he was used to. “This is one way [to exhibit what we do], but it’s not your conventional method,” Madlen said. “There’s a time and a place … [Breakdancing is] one of those things you only really do in front of other people who do it.” Many students made their way to the airbrushing artist after coordinators advertised free personalized airbrushed T-shirts. This was the first time the Black Culture Committee hosted this event, but Henry said she hopes it will continue for years to come. “Usually our programs aren’t in Free Speech Alley, so this is something we want to keep doing every year, or at least something like it,” Henry said. Henry said students with fresh ideas and an interest in helping with future programs can join the Black Culture Committee.
—-Contact Megan Williams at [email protected]