Note: To listen to local poet Aaron Ammons reciting his work at Uni's Black History Luncheon, click the audio boxes at right.

MORE THAN 60 students eagerly made their way up to the North Attic on Wednesday for Uni High's annual Black History Luncheon.

Organized by sophomore Rachel Harmon and guidance counselor Sam Smith, the luncheon was the third and final event in Uni's observance of Black History Month.

The other events were screenings of the movies “4 Little Girls” (Feb. 15) and “Ethnic Notions” (Feb. 21).

“The purpose in doing the luncheon was really to attract a broader audience from Uni, because the movie nights tend to draw a really selective group of people — people who are generally already interested in those types of things,” said Harmon.

For the luncheon, Harmon and Smith lined up plenty of food, including pizza and contributions from Uni parents. But the real attraction came in the form of artistic performances:

• Guest speaker Cynthia Biggers, a professor emeritus of humanities at Parkland College, read a selection of classic African-American poetry.
• Freshman Kahlilah Cooke dazzled the audience with her dance interpretation of “I Can See Clearly.”
• Local poet Aaron O. Ammons, also known as “A-Dub,” concluded the event with electrifying recitations of two of his poems, “What is the Struggle?” and “Do I Remember?”

“For the luncheon I especially wanted to attract underclassmen who really haven't developed their interests yet and have them get a sense of an artistic side of Black History Month, which I think came through wonderfully with Aaron Ammons' poetry, which was amazing,” Harmon said. “Also the free food — I think that helped to attract people.”

Overall, said Harmon, the luncheon went extremely well and marked a successful ending to Black History Month.

“I was really impressed with the people who helped me, first of all,” she said. “A lot of parents made food on last-minute notice, which I was really happy about. A lot of people pulled through so that it could come together so well.

“Ms. Biggers did a great job, and Kahlilah — I was so happy to see her perform. I know she was really nervous. And I was also really glad to see a good turnout. I know a lot of people may not have come here thinking, 'Oh I'm going to learn about black history,' but I think in the end they definitely had to take something away, because every performance was so expressive that you really couldn't sit there and not learn anything.”

Black History Month began in 1926 as Negro History Week, under the impetus of scholar Carter G. Woodson, director of what was then called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. (The organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.)

In 1976, the Association sponsored the first Black History Month, starting the tradition that continues today. However, the idea of setting aside just a single month to celebrate achievements that are woven into the fabric of American life has itself been a source of controversy.

“It is a somewhat complex issue for me,” Ammons said after the luncheon. “I think that the contributions to civilization that African-American people have made are paramount to understanding world history, and I certainly think it should be something that is infused within the curriculum and should not have to be something segregated into one of the months of the year.

“And I think that the language is very important. With the definition of 'black' having so many negative connotations, I think that it is very important that we look at it, maybe even redefine it, because it initially started as Negro History Week back in 1926, and in 1976 it became Black History Month.”

Harmon agreed that the subject of how to recognize African-American achievements raises important questions.

“Black History Month — it's an issue because you think, 'Oh, it's only one month devoted to such a broad spectrum of accomplishments,” she said. “You think that it should already be incorporated into our history. But I think currently in some ways it definitely is, but there are definitely some aspects where it's not incorporated.

“And so that's where I think the celebrations for Black History Month came from, kind of an opportunity to go into these issues, these figures, that we don't normally cover. So that was my purpose in all of the events, including the luncheon.”

MORE PHOTOS: UNI HIGH'S BLACK HISTORY LUNCHEON

NOTE: Click any photo to create your own slideshow — then keep clicking.

Senior Micah Berman and sophomore Rachel Harmon prepare the sound system for the luncheon's poetry readings. Gargoyle photos by Laura Dripps & David Porreca

Students line up for free pizza and more.

Examples of African artwork and culture were on display.

Another view of the artwork.

More than 60 students attended the luncheon.

The pizza, not surprisingly, was much appreciated by hungry students.

Rachel Harmon emceed the event.

Students wait for the performances to begin.

Special guest Cynthia Biggers reads a selection of classic African-American poetry.

Biggers is a professor emeritus of humanities at Parkland College.

Freshman Kahlilah Cooke dances to the tune of "I Can See Clearly Now."

Cooke's expressive performance drew a huge ovation from the audience.

Local poet Aaron Ammons electrified the crowd as he recited two of his poems.