By: Ariana Wiggins (’19), Staff Writer
photo credit: unc_bsm on Twitter
Homecoming is, and has been for a while, one of the most anticipated events each year for college students. At the peak of the semester, through midterms and 12-page papers, Carolina students anticipate relief, entertainment, and fun. Although there are countless events and parties that occur around campus during Homecoming weekend, they generally appeal to the predominantly White majority, leaving the Black community to fend for itself in hopes of achieving a Homecoming celebration that tends to its cultural needs. Unfortunately, many Black students around campus believe that our community tends to fall short in appropriately executing such events. In light of this concern, here is a comprehensive list of the key elements to help DHOE become a celebration that we can be proud of and look forward to. This list is based on feedback from seasoned DHOE participants who are self-identified members of the Black UNC community.
- Start earlier.
The best homecoming celebrations last an entire week. This is not to say that we should party on a Monday night, but perhaps holding different events earlier in the week would get students more engaged and more excited for the Homecoming game. This could range from a service project to a firework show to an alumni mixer, which leads to the next recommendation…
- More interaction with alumni.
Every year, hundreds of Carolina alumni return to campus to join in on the Homecoming festivities. They’re here, we’re here, and we surely have lots of relevant things to discuss with them. Having more mixers with Black alumni can be beneficial to both parties. It can help us with networking and also help them understand the things that are going on around campus in regards to the Black community. Such an integral part of the Homecoming celebration can tie in the excitement with the purpose – unity.
- Pre-game tailgates.
Yeah, I know, tailgates before the homecoming football game are abundant and inevitable. The issue here is that there are rarely any tailgates to meet the needs of our culture. There is nothing better than a function where our music, our food, and our people can unite (think family reunions, birthdays, Thanksgiving, and cookouts). Our Black student community should host a tailgate where we can feel comfortable, entertained, full of delicious vittles, and hyped for the game.
- An annual Step Show.
Thumbs up to NPHC for making it happen this year. This should be a tradition that is annually recurrent because – to be honest – there aren’t many people who don’t love a good step show. Stepping has a long and rich history in African-American culture, and Homecoming week is the perfect time to integrate such a tradition into our cultural celebrations. There’s not much else to say about this except for the fact that step shows are great. Just great.
- Parties and moves galore.
I know you were waiting for it. Let’s get past the less trivial things and talk about what really matters. Everyone knows that the parties are more important than the game itself during Homecoming week. They are the entities that single-handedly make DHOE, DHOE. Is it possible to have the best Homecoming celebration when there’s only one party the entire weekend? And – let’s be honest – will Frat Court parties ever satisfy our needs as Black students? Here are the facts: Want a better DHOE? There should be a party every night, Thursday through Saturday. Want the ultimate DHOE? There should be more than one party each night. This would be challenging since our community has a limited amount of people, but expanding our options is what makes it more fun, and having a back-up plan for the failed moves can keep the night going.
Maybe you agree with these things, and maybe you don’t. What’s important is that we all analyze DHOE and what has gone wrong in the past so we can create something that we all enjoy. Always remember: DHOE doesn’t make the people. The people make DHOE. With that being said, throw on your Carolina blue, grab your foam fingers, and get the best out of your Homecoming week!
