Black Poetry Reading Kicks Off Black History Month at W&L The Student Association for Black Unity will hold the online event, which is free and open to the public to watch online.
Avalon Pernell ’23 reads Dudley Randall’s “The Ballad of Birmingham” at the February 2020 Black Poetry Night in John Elrod Commons. This year’s event will take place online.Washington and Lee University will kick off its celebration of Black History Month with Black Poetry Night on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
The online event is presented by the Student Association for Black Unity at W&L. The poetry night is free and open to the public to watch online.
Last year, Leia Barrow ’22 participated in the event, and she remembers spontaneously sharing a poem as a first-year student after realizing that the audience was very welcoming. Poetry night is an ideal way to begin Black History Month.
“It’s something people look forward to,” Barrow said. “It’s a game-changer because you get to tell the story, and you know people are listening. People like you are there to comfort you and encourage you, and they understand where you’re coming from.”
Black History Month is observed every year in February. It is a month dedicated to the reminiscence of the history of African Americans in the United States. Additionally, it is a time used to celebrate African Americans’ achievements throughout history and highlight the revolutions that were spearheaded by African Americans who sought to make a difference for their communities.
Stay tuned to The Columns for information about other Black History Month events at W&L.
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