An emphatic celebration of Central’s elegant student was held during the Black Student Union’s annual Black Gala in the Student Center’s Alumni Hall on March 7.
The theme of royalty led to students coming dressed in regalia worthy of their crowns and tiaras. Many were in dressed that eloquently twinkled when the camera flash danced across their gowns. Others had opted to drape their trench coats over their jewelry and ties.
However, while the glitz and glam of the event is appealing on the surface, the cultural and ethnic implications speak to a larger issue.
Aaliyah Brown, President of BSU, said there is great importance to hosting events like the Black Gala.
“When your voice has been suppressed for so long, it’s extremely valuable to feel heard,” Brown said. “I think the Black representation on campus is getting better, but we still have a long way to go.”
The Black Gala was held as the culminating event for Black History Month on campus. Brown said that this year it saw a different tone of importance at Central.
“Black History Month could’ve seen a lot more support to uplift the Black community on campus,” Brown said.
Claude Mann, a campus employee, said the significance of the month is seemingly being downplayed on a national level.
“I wish this country would take Black History Month a little more seriously,” Mann said. “I mean it’s the shortest month of the year.”
A campus announcement showing support for the month included a link to the United States’ Official Proclamation on National Black History Month. But when you click it, an error pops up.
Brown said instances like these don’t stop her from being proud of who she is.
“It’s empowering to know where you’re from,” Brown said. “There are different ways to show support, but they’re just vessels that you can use to express yourself.”
Through turbulent times of stress and uncertainty, the Black Gala was a night when students could let go of those worries.
“Planning an event is always stressful and we had an extremely small budget, but we just had to condense some things, and I think it was a success,” Brown said. “This event was a night of relief and royalty where Black students could come and be Black.”
