By: Cameron Fisher (’21), Staff Writer
On the evening of February 9, the Black Student Movement, the university-wide Arts Everywhere initiative, and the Process Series converged in the Historic Playmakers Theatre for the presentation of Black Pioneers: A Creative Celebration. The night delivered a wide range of performances, covering an equally wide range of experiences deeply relatable to the African-American community. First in the string of performances was Sonny Kelly’s “The Talk,” a skit that drew from the stories of Emmett Till and Freddie Gray to bring attention to the difficult conversations between black parents and their children as they find their place in a white world. Following Kelly’s opening, student groups O.A.S.I.S. ACTS, SHHO, Zeta Phi Beta, EROT, and Harmonyx, as well as junior Noni Shemenski, delivered powerful messages through spoken word, comedy, poetry, step dancing, and music.
Although today’s students and community members made up much of the night’s lineup, the show’s namesake performance placed yesterday’s groundbreakers at center stage. The Process Series’ Black Pioneers performance recounted life at UNC from 1952 to 1972 through the eyes of the university’s first black students. Of the many painful encounters faced by the Black Pioneers, white faculty and parents punishing students for choosing black roommates and Hinton James residents cheering for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were just a few brought to light through the performance. These accounts of institutional oppression and social alienation resounded all too painfully throughout the crowd, reminding the black students of the present that our place at this university was paved through past struggles. Though the Black Pioneers performance grappled with a shameful, not too distant history, it also succeeded in conveying a great sense of progress. The determination and commitment to change exemplified by the Black Pioneers not only created opportunities for black students in the classroom, but also made it possible for black students to one day gather in celebration of their history and multitude of artistic talents. In addition, the announcement of plans to include the performance at next year’s Week of Welcome was a further indication of the strides the black community has taken to improve life at the University for black students.
As the night concluded, one overarching message was clear: black voices in the arts are present, though traditional representations may suggest otherwise. Our presence is evident in studios, on stage, and on campus, thanks to the Black Pioneers who came before us, and with ongoing efforts to put on such meaningful events like Black Pioneers: A Creative Celebration, it will continue to be known.
