By Abby Kozal, Culture Editor
Every February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. It is a time to honor and acknowledge the history of African Americans and the adversity they have endured. Aquinas College has taken to celebrating Black History Month on its campus with a few events.
Kate Luebke’s recommendation of “We Were Eight Years in Power” – Photo by @aqlibrarian on Instagram
The Aquinas College librarians have been sharing their favorite books written by black authors on their Instagram page, @aqlibrarian. Among these books have been “A Gathering of Old Men” by Ernest J. Gaines, “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennet, and the essay collection “We Were Eight Years in Power” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
“We Were Eight Years in Power” is a collection of essays reflecting on the period of the Obama administration. Coates discusses observations of the movements for justice during this time while recounting his own experiences. He tells his own story of growth as a young writer who would one day get the opportunity to interview the president.
“Coates’ eloquence impacted and shaped my ways of thinking about topics, even when there were points on which I might disagree,” Kate Luebke, Technical Services Coordinator, said in the caption of her recommendation post on Instagram. “His writing bettered my understanding about the catalysts for differing lines of thought and depths of passion about important, if unresolved, issues.”
For students interested in these books, they encourage you to stop by the library to check them out. They are available in the library catalog, and the staff is more than happy to help you find them.
Black History Month graphic (top) and Mikki Kendall’s book Hood Feminism (bottom) – Photos by @aqdiversity on Instagram
The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is also focused on promoting Black literature throughout this month. Currently, a book club is being held from Feb.-Mar. discussing Mikki Kendall’s book Hood Feminism. The book discusses what it means to be a Black woman in the United States and the movement of Black culture.
“A lot of Black male historical figures are put at the forefront,” Esperanza Garcia, Student Engagement Coordinator for CDI&E, said. “Ultimately, Black women are left behind on occasion.”
Choosing this book was a way to bridge Black History Month and Women’s History Month as well as highlight the struggles that Black women face in America.
Additionally, CDI&E hosted an Immigration Teach-In with the Advantage Center on Feb. 10 in the Wege Ballroom. The event, originally for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, included a panel discussion with the Executive Director of Treetops Collective and an immigration lawyer.
“If he were alive today, this is a cause he would be behind,” Garcia said. “We’ve racialized the idea of immigration, but we have a lot of people from different backgrounds going through the process.”
The Aquinas Dining Supper Club will also be hosting an event on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to commemorate Black History Month. They will be serving a variety of Black History Month inspired dishes. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Faculty/Staff Dining Room inside of Wege Dining. For those not in the Supper Club, you can RSVP to attend by sending an email to Campus Dining. Entry will cost $35.
The Saint 