Black History Month events continue with a panel discussion Feb. 19.
By Michael Smith
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students were treated to collard greens, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and barbecue chicken Feb. 13 at the Taste of Soul event during Black History Month.
The event was in Loftin Student Center and free to students.
Yvonne Turnbull Campbell, research specialist and member of the Black History Committee, explained in an interview Feb. 12 how the name Taste of Soul came about.
“We are just trying to put some oomph in celebration,” she said. “In the past we have had Taste of New Orleans, Taste of Caribbean, and an African Fest. This year we decided to alternate, do something different.”
Campbell also spoke on how the Taste of Soul differs from other food-oriented events.
“It is not something that the population at the school would typically have.” she said. “Whether its pizza or fast food; even in their homes, this isn’t something a student would eat on a daily basis.”
“I love black food,” law enforcement freshman Ventura Perez said. “And I love black history.”
The music of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and other musical icons music was amplified through speakers.
The event also payed homage to iconic poet Maya Angelou. Campbell recited her 1978 poem “Still I Rise.”
“Expressing our culture in different ways is very important,” Campbell said. “We want to make this event more diverse.”
Food in the African-American culture represents more than just a delicious plate, Campbell said.
“History of soul food is what we made best out of the leftovers given to us from the masters during the slavery days,” she said. “We made it into something that we now enjoy as a culture.”
Upcoming events include San Antonio Black History panel discussion, which will share insight into how African-Americans contributed to the building of San Antonio.
The event takes place 11 a.m-1 p.m. Feb. 19 in Room 218 of the nursing and allied health complex.
