“Aint I a Woman” production at Horn Theatre
By Crystal Martinez
Black history month is celebrated across the nation every year. This February the College of Southern Nevada took the time to appreciate and dedicate an entire month to African-American heritage and culture.
“Black history month to me means celebrating the success of African-Americans,” says Ronnisha Green, a CSN student. Green says that the month is a celebration for her and generations that came before her to reflect and reminisce about obstacles the African-American community has surpassed. Green is an online student and says CSN is doing a good job spreading the word of the events.
“It’s really exciting for online class takers like myself to feel a part of the CSN community,” Green says.
Black history has inspired Green to do something for her culture as well as herself. She has decided to apply for the Miss Black Pageant.
From movie nights to musical performances like “Ain’t I a Woman” several events entertained CSN students on campus during the entire month.
“The play ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ is about honoring African-American women of remarkable achievement and invincible character,” says Tami Vaughn-DeVries, CSN legal research assistant to general counsel. Vaughn-DeVries plans to attend as many of the CSN events as her schedule allows. Vaughn-DeVries started planning the play last year in October with the women’s history committee and joined up with the black history month committee to plan the play together.
On February 19, CSN hosted The President’s Forum on African-American Academic Success.
“It is important for university administrations to get out of the theoretical books and actually talk to students,” says Dr. Harriet Barlow, keynote speaker of the event and assistant vice president of diversity initiatives for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“It is important for students to be proactive and involved not only in social aspects of their educational experiences, but also in the classroom,” Barlow says.
When asked what she was most eager to share with the CSN students, she says, “It is important that we define who we are and not be defined by what others think they know about who we are.”
History is still being made with the first African-American President Barack Obama. Another historical moment was Martin Luther King Jr. speech “I have a Dream”, which brought more national attention to the Civil Rights Movement.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 