Student performances inspired by African-American Studies curriculum

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior High School’s Black History: Celebration of the African Diaspora allowed students to express what they’re learning in the classroom in creative ways, together.

Poems and essays Viola Davis, Maya Angelou and Nikole Hannah-Jones were interspersed with African dances and songs to immerse the audience. Music by African-American musicians of all different genres was woven into the interludes between performances. The RSHS Color Guard Team also performed two separate dances.

“This course is designed to, ‘teach [us] to embrace truth, not by ignoring the ghosts of our country’s past, but by letting those ghosts guide — rather than haunt — us. African American Studies shows how African Americans survived and thrived to carve their identity into what it means to be ‘American,’” reads the flyer for the event. “This Black History Event is a culmination of what this course has been and is.”

The African-American Studies class’s curriculum formed the basis of the knowledge of the events. As teacher Arthur Gilliam explained, many of these students had taken the class last semester, and weren’t participating in the event for a grade, but because they cared about the topic and wanted to share what they had learned.

“We get really into deep topics that you wouldn’t really normally hear conversations about in class,” said Junior Antwan Bennett said. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, it’s just that no one’s talking about it. It’s more in-depth.”

Antwan, along with Hasani Dukes and Miasia Montgomery, recited “To Be Black in America,” a poem by Devin Ortiz, together.

“It’s is to watch people walk on the opposite side of the street to avoid you,” they began. “It is to be told to get over slavery.”

“It is to remember white flight and the repercussions of it,” Miasia continued. “It is to know that you can do everything right and be killed by someone sworn to protect you.

“Being black in America is a lot of things, but I hope and pray for the day, that we can be treated the same,” they concluded.

One of the highlights of the evening was a passionate rendition of “Stand Up” by Cynthia Ervivo, performed by Amya Johnson. Cyncere Bell and Gilbert Hatcher also performed a drum duet.

“It’s beautiful to be black,” recited Rachel Martinez in a poem by Chara NyAshia Sanjo. “It’s the color of honor and grace. This is one thing that cannot be taken away.”

Senior Ania Broady recited a poem entitled “Black Utopia.”

“A black community, where opportunities are endless, jobs are secure and freedom is finally ours,” Broady said. “Black utopia — Can you imagine, can you dream, can you see it? I can, I can really see it — What about you?”

Broady described herself as shy, but this event forced her to open up.

“The power that I felt with saying my poem, it just made me feel so good,” Broady said. “I loved this class and it’s showed me so much about my history. Don’t let black history just be a month and let’s keep the empowerment alive.”

Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”, recited by Nyla Stroman and Nala Rush, officially concluded the event with uproarious applause:

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, welling and swelling I bear in the tide

However, the real celebration took place after “Still I Rise,” when the students rushed to the center of the gym for a brief dance party to Beyonce’s “Before I Let Go.”

“There’s so much we want to do with this program,” Gilliam said amid the dance party. “This, I hope, is the first of many to come.”

Gilliam also reiterated his plan to take 100 students to the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, as well as an HBCU.

Yolanda Steele, whose daughter performed alongside the Color Guard, said the event was very inviting and that she wished a class like this existed when she was in school.

“It really empowered them,” Steele said. “It gave them energy that you never see in some of these kids. It allowed them to understand the pain and the hurt of what their ancestors went through.”

This event was held in honor of Jalen David, Malik Ellerbe, De’Marion “Duna” Davis and Sheriff James Clemmons, who all passed away in recent years.