The purpose of SOS is to get the student body to participate in an educational experience that is needed for Black History Month. The past two weeks themes were “The Beginning” hosted by African Aggies and “ The Deception” hosted by the 910 Aggies.
The Gentlemen of the Shop and the Student Government Association will present SOS, Saving OurSelves, every Tuesday in the month of February at 7:30 in the General Classroom Building Auditorium.
William Stewart and Jayvon Johnson, Senior Liberal studies majors from Durham, NC and Co-founders of The Shop both gave insight about how the program came about. “The original name for SOS: Saving Ourselves was “4” meaning 4 days, 4 programs, 4 lessons while paying homage to the A & T Four. We came up with the program to celebrate our month instead of the regular well-known historical figures. Another reason is that we believe that everyone has a voice and this is a chance to establish our voice and make history.” said Stewart. Johnson then added “We wanted to incorporate all young African-Americans to make history happen during the month we celebrate it.”
At the first program, entitled “The Beginning”, a lively, energetic African Dance presentation opened up the program. The President of African Aggies Sogbeye Okoro , opened the floor for the audience to say what they thought Africa looked like or the things they have said to Africans they have encountered.
Okoro decided to break the misconceptions that African Americans have about Africans, some of the topics touched on was the scenery, slave trade, schooling, and stereotypes.
She explained that poverty is everywhere is just depends on where you choose to go in Africa. She then asked the members of African Aggies when was the first time they had seen certain animals that are located on the continent of Africa and they all replied in a zoo.
As far as education, in Africa the citizens have to pay for their education from grade school to college, unlike America where public education is free from Kindergarten until 12th grade. Okoro ended her portion with a powerful quote “Learn about yourself and about your culture.”
The second program, entitled “The Deception” was focusing on the different stereotypes, good and bad, that African- Americans face every day. The stereotypes ranged from food preferences, appearance and the media outlook on African- Americans.
The audience was very interactive at this program and everyone had an opinion on certain topics that were discussed. One of the hot topics of the program was African-Americans in the media. Audience members chimed in all around the room about how African-Americans are portrayed negatively because of shows like Love and Hip-Hop and The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Both programs had many students in attendance. The host, Precious Bradley, Journalism and Mass Communications major from Jacksonville, NC, who’s also the President of the 910 Aggies and the 2012-2013 Vice President of External Affairs, said that she doesn’t base the success of the programs off of the audience count but off of audience participation and that everyone in attendance was meant to hear the message.
Many things were discussed at both programs and a vast amount of information was accumulated. Atiya Terry, Sophomore Business Management Major from Raleigh, NC, said that she really enjoyed the program and will continue to attend throughout the month.
The NC A&T Chapter of NAACP will host the next program on February 19th entitled “The Enlightenment”. Please come out and support, learn and experience the programs every Tuesday this month at 7:30 pm in the General Classroom Building Auditorium.
- Cora Taft, contributor