Mariajose Garza/THE RIDER
February marks the start of Black History Month, where it is important to celebrate and honor the traditions that Carter G. Woodson, an American historian and author, began when he conceived of Black History week, which eventually evolved into a month, according to a UTRGV senior lecturer.
“Any history of the United States that doesn’t include the African American [people] is incomplete and discarded,” said Kevin D. Butler, a history lecturer.
Butler said he has always been drawn to history and understanding his own people, which led him to teach history and African history.
He added W.E.B. Du Bois is “one of the greatest American historians” and sticks out to him as a historical figure.
The Center for Student Involvement hosted its annual Black History Month event with the purpose of honoring the impact of Black culture, its history and its impact on society, according to Giovanna Granados, program coordinator.
The event took place Tuesday in the Music, Science and Learning Center on the Brownsville campus and Thursday in the Student Union on the Edinburg campus.
Granados said it was an opportunity for students to learn more about the historical culture, incorporating hands-on learning experience by making traditional bracelets and participating in trivia.
“Wanting to showcase some of those important figures and spreading awareness and paying homage to an important community at UTRGV as well,” she said.
Mariah Escobar/THE RIDER
Granados added, since UTRGV’s community is primarily Hispanic, she believes there is a lot of appreciation for different cultures on campus.
“Our diversity grows every year and so wanting to spread some of that love and appreciation, so it allows for students to encourage students to have cultural appreciation and even learn from other cultures other than their own,” she said.
Janeet Davila, a psychology freshman, said one of the things she discovered during the event was about the dreams and difficulties the Black community faced.
“So honoring that, those who spoke up for their own people, it is actually really resonating until now,” Davila said.
The program coordinator added a different range of identities and backgrounds are present in the university.
“The different wide range of identities and backgrounds we have at the university … helps enhance that sense of belonging, creating a space or an environment or having an event where students from different cultures, in this case, Black students can feel seen, feel supported and valued as an important community,” Granados said.
Bukola Awotoye, president of the African Students Association and a computer science senior, said the month is important because it serves as an opportunity to share the contribution that African Americans have made in the United States.
“This is the time for us to shine more light on more of the things that they’ve achieved to show that … they are more than entertainment,” Awotoye said.
She added many African Americans have made an impact on our everyday lives, especially in the STEM field, and have made a significant impact in the Rio Grande Valley as many came to escape the slave trade and helped in the military.
Awotoye said there is not a big African American population at UTRGV, so celebrating the month and getting involved in different organizations helps those who feel far from home build connections.
The African Students Association hosts cultural workshops, cookouts and workout sessions that are open to everyone to get the community involved in learning and appreciating the culture, according to its president.
“If we don’t continue talking about history it can be forgotten,” Awotoye said. “It’s very good to stay informed on things, even though you might think it doesn’t matter to you.”
–Mariajose Garza contributed to the story.
