Students organize Black History Month events at UPEI

By Ben Macintosh

Amirah Oyesegun stands in front of a poster recognizing prominent Black historical figures (photo credits: Ben Macintosh)

UPEI will have events honouring Black History Month this week thanks to the hard work of multiple students.

There was only going to be one event at UPEI for this year’s Black History Month until a group of students stepped up to organize multiple events during the last week of February.

Amirah Oyesegun is a third-year Foods and Nutrition student and one of the organizers of these student oriented events.

She said she sees Black History Month as a celebration despite adversity.

“I always say Black History Month is like our birthday.”

“So after all of that racism and the unnecessary stress that comes with a lot of the things that we have to deal with. Black History month is just like hello all the Black people on campus we see you and we see your trials and your tribulations and we appreciate you.”

On Feb. 6, the Black Cultural Society of PEI hosted a panel discussion at the Fox and Crow. This week students will be hosting three events aimed at celebrating Black History Month.

The first event is tonight, Feb. 26 in the Fox And Crow. After the Executive Candidates’ Debate there will be trivia followed by open mic, and music and dance appreciation.

Oyesegun says the open mic allows Black students to showcase their talents.

“Initially it was going to be just trivia and then live music and dance appreciation, but then I realized there are a lot of Black people on campus who have many talents and they wanted to be able to showcase that as well,” she said in an interview with the Cadre on Tuesday.

Friday’s event was originally supposed to be a panel discussion but Oyesegun wanted to make the event more of a group discussion too see different point of view.

“As Black people, our experiences are so different,” she said. “Our experiences are just very different and I want a platform where everyone that identifies as Black and whatever else it is can speak on that.”

The group discussion is at 6 P.M. in Dawson Lounge, Main Building.

Anti-Blackness in everyday life, Black Mental Health, Black positivity, the differences between cultural appropriations and cultural appreciation and dating outside of race are some of the topics that will be discussed.

Oyesegun also wants to use the discussion to help people find the support they need.

“If there are people struggling with certain things, it’s one thing I know that I can keep record of and help them go to the necessary people that they will need for support.”

On Thursday at 5 P.M. there also will be a screening in the library of Ninth Floor. A documentary about student protests about racism accusations at Sir George Williams University.

The events are open to all students and free of charge.