“It is better to have an education and not need it, then need it and not have it.”
These words, recited from a Tyler Perry piece performed by reading teacher Lydia Buckmire, carried out the message of the African Heritage Show on February 24 whose theme this year was “The Future is Ours.” The African Heritage Show included spoken word performances, monologues, dances, and student opinions as to what the African American community, and society in general need to do in order to progress and create a brighter future.
“We the people need to pick up where our ancestors left off …and become a united family. We need to stop the drug use and violence for the betterment of African Americans,” senior Ashley McKay said.
The many dances performed at the show were by the African Heritage Club dancers, who covered a variety of music with African and African American influence. The Chatonettes also performed in the show with a piece called “Life in the Savannah”.
“The idea behind ‘Life in the Savannah was that half of us were warriors trying to kill the zebras [the other half] for a meal. It is a great piece, choreographed by our coach,” junior and Chatonettes member Samantha Lopez said.
The show also featured the Omega Singers who performed “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson and The 5000 Role Models, who preformed an original piece “6 Foot, 7 Foot” that stressed the importance of an education in the ability to establish a viable, prosperous future.
Senior Gianni Franceschi performed a poem/rap piece entitled “Revelation” that involved of the African American, and other minorities, plight towards freedom and equality over history and what African Americans.
Leading up to the event, the African Heritage Club sponsored a door decorating contest that was to depict the same theme “The Future is Ours”, and teachers and students did so through pictures, art and biographies on famous African Americans. First place was awarded to SPED teacher, Louise Harless.
Overall, the event was considered a success by all of those who participated in it.
“I felt like the show went well,” junior Jason Lewis, who worked backstage for the show, said. “It had a powerful theme, and all of the performers really got into it and performed with heart and soul.”