February is Black History Month, and is celebrated annually to honor the African Americans who have experienced years of adversity. However, this year brings about a greater importance to the celebration, after the inauguration of the first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is of African American descent, as well as the rise of empowerment movements such as Black Lives Matter.
On a national level, this years’ celebrations will entail virtual festivals like those hosted by the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, and tributes to pivotal figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On a local level, Monmouth University will host its very own celebration of Black History Month through various workshops and speakers. This month is also of utmost importance to students involved in the Multicultural Greek Council on campus, specifically the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. These organizations will be showing their support throughout the month.
For the brothers of Omega Psi Phi at the University, this event is especially empowering. This month the brothers of the organization are celebrating Carter G. Woodson, a notable alumni of the fraternity. Woodson was the son of two former African slaves.
In 1908, Woodson graduated from the University of Chicago, and went on to receive his Ph.D. from Harvard University. Woodson made strides for the black community when he started Negro History week in 1926, which eventually became the Black History Month that is celebrated today.
On Feb. 9, the Tau Eta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated will be hosting a “reflective” event that covers black television sitcoms, like “What’s Happening,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” This interactive event will discuss important issues within the black community.
The Tau Eta chapter said in an Instagram post, “This month puts a spotlight on all the accomplishments of African American culture. It includes the celebration of the African Diaspora and African American history.”
For more information on the Multicultural Greek Council and Black History Month, be sure to follow @monmouth_mgc on Instagram.
PHOTO COURTESY of Chris Spiegel
