HU Reaction

Born in New York, Jamaica in my blood; this is the life of a second generation West Indian. Do not call us Yankees or Natives. Yes, we are U.S. born but we are what our families are and that is a true West Indian. Something we enjoy most is Carnival time. Back at in our countries, we celebrate our culture with dance and colors. There is so much enjoyment as a groups of people come together as one, celebrating everything that their country represents. When we are not at home to enjoy these festivities, it is good to know that we can celebrate it at our home away from home.

Howard’s pre-Carnival in the Punch Out and Carnival in Burr brought much enjoyment to those who come from and are Caribbean. Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, and Elephant Man played and people went wild. The Jamaican, Haitian, and Bahamian flag waved wildly as people were dancing. Ladies wined like a gypsy and men daggered. Enthusiastic looks were given with each play of a song. I am sure many of those there were thinking, this is just like home.

There were performances given by Howard students, such as Freshman Fantasia along with her group, singing a song they had written for the people of Haiti in the Punch Out. This mini celebration was presented by the Ladies of the Alpha Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated who collected donations for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. Poetry was read and soon after, the music continued once more. The performance at Burr, which was sponsored by Slowe Hall and The Office of Residence Life, was similar but with ten times the energy. Everyone clearly enjoyed themselves as they were reminded of the culture that they missed back home. Sweet memories of the islands.

Alexa Bernard

Freshmen

Public Relations Major

http://toniebzthevixen.blogspot.com