In honor of Black History Month, Sacramento State student organizations are putting together more than 15 on-campus events in February to commemorate African-American history, culture and achievements.

Activities will include a poetry contest, a karaoke night, a science exhibition and a protest against derogatory racial language.

This year’s theme is “United for Social Change.”

Organizers of Black History Month said they hope the theme will help students understand that social change requires a community effort.

“By nature of where we are in Sacramento, we have such a diverse campus. We have so many people that are willing to work with us as a community,” said Michele Foss-Snowden, communication studies professor. “I think we have a unique opportunity to have the critical mass and to really have the numbers that it takes to make a real change.”

Bringing people together is the main focus of Black History Month, said Vertis Wilson, a senior physical therapy major and one of the event coordinators.

“Most people say there are no events for African-Americans on campus, and for Black History Month, we try to let them know that there are events on campus and you can be involved,” Wilson said.

Wilson co-hosted the opening reception of Black History Month on Feb. 1.

Even though he got into a car accident the day before, it didn’t stop Wilson from participating in the opening event.

“I figured this event was bigger than just me,” Wilson said. “I kind of just put all my stuff to the side, just to do this for the good of the campus.”

Jeraniqua Martin, a junior communication studies major, also contributed to the coordination of Black History Month.

“It was a lot of work, a lot of preplanning with the other committee members, but knowing that I was a part of this event and I put it on – it really makes me proud. Not because I want it for the glory or for the recognition, but because I want to bring everyone together as a whole, as a campus community,” Martin said.

One way students can come together and work toward social change is by joining a campus-wide silent protest against the use of the “N” word next week.

Students who wish to join the protest can do so by remaining silent on campus the duration of the week. Students may also wear tape over their mouths.

Along with a few other students, Rashad Mosely, freshman ethnic studies major, came up with the idea of a protest against the “N” word because, he said, it is a word that puts people down.

Like the “N” word forum, many of the scheduled Black History Month events are meant to be informative and inspirational.

“There’s some great information you can learn at these events and possibly take home, and implement in daily life for the better of your future,” Martin said.

Although Black History Month is a time of celebration, it is also a time to reflect on the past, said Foss-Snowden.

She compares Black History Month to a symbol in African culture called a sankofa. It is a bird facing backward with feet facing forward.

“This image is the unifying idea about Black History Month. We look back and try to remember where we’ve been, mistakes that might have been made or harms that may have been done against us as a people, but at the same time, our feet face forward so we don’t get stuck in the past. We want to continually move forward, but in order to do that, we have to know where we’ve been,” Foss-Snowden said.

Inna Gritsak can be reached at [email protected]