Opening address, art display, and nooner concert begin the month’s many events
The University of Guelph kicked off Black History Month in the UC courtyard with an opening address from the Guelph Black Student Association (GBSA), an art display, and a noon-hour concert.
“From 1603 when Mathieu Da Costa set foot on the soil,” said Christabel Mateta, central coordinator at the GBSA, “to Africans brought into Canada from the 1600s to the 1800s, to the American slaves who were brought into Canada during the American Revolution, to the marooned from the Caribbean, black people have been part of the territory that is now Canada for generations.” Mateta also shared that 3.5 per cent of Canada’s population is black.
“Black History Month is a celebration of Canadian history, culture, and community, and the important contributions of black Canadians to the settlement, growth, and development of Canada,” Mateta continued. “It is about the diversity of black communities in Canada and their importance to the history of this country. It is a sign of welcome for all […] and for those who wish to celebrate us and get to know the small but powerful community and the multiple facets that hold it together.”
Mateta’s speech concluded with a hope to see people at the many events the GBSA and partners have planned throughout the month of February. The opening address was followed by a concert featuring soul artist Tanika Charles, who immediately filled the UC courtyard with sound and warmth.
Charles is more than a singer — she is a seasoned performer who makes full use of her experience, confidence, and physicality to light up the stage and bring the audience along for a ride.
Her monologue before “Sweet Memories,” was captivating and you couldn’t help but be entirely on her side even as she describes throwing a rock through the window of someone she had a bad relationship with.
While the concert continued, some students took the opportunity to have a live soundtrack as they looked at the art display and read descriptions to better understand what they were looking at.
As Black History Month continues, there are several events worth attending whether for entertainment, education, or both.
Photos by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion
Hey all,
I commented on Twitter, but evidently that was unseen.
This show was also brought to Guelph by CFRU and the CSA.
Your refusal to acknowledge that (even though a quick Facebook search of the show proves it was promoted solely by the CSA) is only a nail in your own coffin.
If you edit the article, please delete this comment, but PLEASE edit your article.
Hi Jack (CSA President):
It wasn’t especially clear at the show who put the show on – it seemed like it was several campus partners, which the article links to, because I didn’t want to omit credit. As someone attending the show I think the focus was on the presenters and on black history month and not on the CSA. It’s an arts & culture article that focuses on performance and culture. In future you can leave a comment stating that the CSA did something so readers know rather than talking about the paper’s demise and coffins. It’s odd especially given you asked to write an opinion piece in this paper just the other day.