Westminster’s campus community celebrates Black History Month

In observance of February’s Black History Month, Westminster College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host a series of campus events that reflect on the achievements, struggles and the essential role of Black Americans in U.S. history.

“The month originally began as one week in February in 1926, founded as Negro History Week by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson. Though we refer to the month as ‘Black history,’ we recognize the heritage of the Black community and the past, present and future of their experiences,” said Kaileik Asbury, assistant director for diversity and inclusion.

Westminster events during Black History Month include:

Black Student Union (BSU) Game Night: 8 – 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Berlin Student Lounge on Westminster’s campus. Students will enjoy a large round of Jeopardy, small group board and card games and music.

Virtual Movie Night featuring “Antebellum”: Friday, Feb. 5 to Sunday, Feb. 7. Sponsored by the College’s Campus Programming Council, students will be able to stream “Antebellum,” the 2020 social horror thriller starring Janelle Monáe about a Black author who is transported back in time to a cotton plantation in pre-Civil War America.

Hope, Healing and Racial Trauma Workshop: 12:45-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, Berlin Lounge. Facilitated by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the workshop will focus on racial healing as a means of action.

“Racial healing sheds light on the need to recognize and share testimonials around past wounds created by individual and systemic oppression and racism as it now affects our society today,” said Asbury. “In creating trust and authentic bonds of shared experience, we can begin to bridge the gaps to move towards unity and healing and centering the Black experience.”

BSU Film Noir "Queen & Slim”—Virtual Movie and Reflection: Thursday, Feb. 18. Sponsored by the BSU, students will be able to stream “Queen & Slim,” the 2019 romantic crime drama about a young Black couple who go on the run after inadvertently killing a White police officer during a traffic stop. Discussion will involve issues of police brutality, social injustice, social media’s influence on social movements, the display of Black love, and the role of Black women in the Black community.

Although not limited to the Black History Month, the campus community is encouraged to join members of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion on Zoom from 1 to 3 p.m. each Thursday throughout the semester for informal conversation and meaningful dialogue driven by participants.

The month will also feature the Cultural Heritage Month Speaker Series. Details are forthcoming.

For more information about any of the events, please contact Asbury at asburykj@westminster.edu.

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