It was a feast of fellowship, a feast of diversity and a feastof nations.
Students, faculty and guests of all races gathered in theUnion’s Cotillion Ballroom on Friday night to celebrate themany facets of African culture.
“Tonight you will be given the opportunity to hearinspirational words and be enriched in the African culture,”said Anthony Igbokwe, an African Student Organization member andthe host for the evening.
The event featured inspirational poems and dances celebratingand teaching the audience about African culture. Guest speakersinspired the audience with powerful words to create awareness aboutissues surrounding the African and American cultures.
“There is a discrimination from sea to shining sea,”said Brandon Smith, a political science senior and guest speaker.”We may have won a few battles, but the war is still to bewon and it will be won in the hearts and minds of those likeus.”
With the mindset open to change, the crowd watched as ASOmembers brought a taste of African culture through expressivedances and verses from poems and songs.
“An African child is born with music in theirhearts,” said Beverly Otontambia, an ASO member and hostessfor the evening, before introducing Amarachukwu Osisioma, acomputing sciences senior and vocalist for the evening.
Osisioma stood alone onstage in a red dress as she sang an acappella version of “God Bless Africa.” The somber andpatriotic song ended happily with celebration and hope forAfrica’s future.
Although U2 lead singer Bono was listed as an invited guest tothe program, he was unable to attend. But his representative,Collin Brown, spoke about the tragedies of AIDS in Africa andencouraged the crowd to initiate change on LSU’s campus.
Brown said he was astonished by the entire event and used hisexcitement to encourage audience members to get out and join thefight against global poverty.
“This is not something you see at every school,”Brown said. “This is one of the finest events I have seen outof all the SEC schools.”
Brown discussed the AIDS epidemic in Africa, and used statisticsand personal stories to make his point.
“Over 70 percent of people in Africa are infected withAIDS — over half of the population,” Brown said.”This truly is the new holocaust.”
Brown talked about the power of collective activism, saying itcan help save lives from a treatable and preventable disease. Brownsaid people are dying because they do not have the money to buyAIDS and HIV medicine, but this is money the United States has togive.
“Let us reach out to the LSU campus and spread the newsthat we can save lives,” Brown said. “Let us takeaction and speak out with our voices and repair America’simage to the world.”
Brown said the power of the youth’s voice is tremendousand the youth must use this power for the betterment ofmankind.
“When it comes to issues of AIDS and poverty, politicianslisten to students because they are compassionate,” Brownsaid. “Politicians are listening and together we can make adifference.”
While Brown discussed Africa’s future possibilities,Tiwanna Simpson, an assistant professor of history and earlyAfrican American studies, spoke about the influences of the Africanculture in the world, especially in the southern United States.
“People of Africa migrated and formed communities all overthe world,” Simpson said. “Because Africans werecaptives, society does not realize their significance.”
Simpson said African descendants usually are thought of asproblematic because of the oppression Africans faced, but theirculture was created by African traditions.
“Africans outnumbered Europeans in Louisiana,”Simpson said. “The slave markets in New Orleans weredominated by African women, therefore dominating our economy in the1800s.”
Simpson said it is impossible to learn about the richness andcomplexity of the African culture in one week, but encouragedstudents and faculty to commit to a new beginning at LSU bybecoming more educated.
After the presentation, students were allowed to feast on asampling of African dishes as they watched and listened to theAfrican beat of the dance troupe Kumbuka.
As students participated in the dances of Kumbuka, othersreflected on the success and events of the evening.
“I would like to see more people and more interest frompeople other than Bono,” Osisioma said. “Bono hadplanned to come and if a rock star will take out time to see theevent, then so should LSU.”
Adrienne McFaul, a psychology senior, and John Adams, an arthistory junior, admitted they came to the event to see Bono.
“We’re huge U2 fans,” Adams said. “But Ifeel more informed about the African culture whether or not hecame. I am glad I got to come.”
Smith said he cannot think of one specific part in the eventthat was better than the others.
“Anybody who came tonight found out or became moreconnected to the causes or to Africa,” Smith said.
Olusola Davies, ASO president, said he was pleased with thenight’s events and hopes it continues.
“I hope Friday night’s events allow people to becomemore aware about the issues surrounding Africa without having todonate any of their money. The more people that know about theproblems, the more people that can change them.”
Davies said he hopes to see more people in attendance next year,but was satisfied with the overall success.
“Everyone I talked to that went said they left there withsomething,” Davies said. “Whether it was if theylearned something new or enjoyed the food, everyone left thereinspired and strengthened.”