In an effort to highlight African American culture during February - Black History Month - the Office of Student Multicultural Affairs will screen free movies (popcorn included) each week in the Student Union Theater.
According to Vicki T. Sapp, director of the Office of Student Multicultural Affairs, the festival is important to students of all backgrounds as a method of understanding African American culture beyond general stereotypes.
"It's about exposing yourself to other peoples' cultures, someone whose culture is different from yours," Sapp said.
According to Sapp, few people truly understand the meaning behind Black History Month. She said most people do not know it was created by Carter Goodwin Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or that he chose the month of February in honor of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and the accepted birthday of Frederick Douglass.
Sapp said the festival aims to emphasize black culture, and the exposure goes much deeper than watching a movie.
Before each screening, audience members will be given information sheets about the movie, and afterward the audience is invited to participate in a discussion on the movie itself, the characters and related issues, led by a faculty host.
"It's not, 'okay, watch a movie and leave,'" Sapp said. "We sit down and discuss it."
Justin Askey, a freshman architecture major, said he will go to the movies if he has the chance.
"People with an interest in learning more about black history will be more likely to go if there's a knowledgeable discussion after," Askey said.
Professor Alexis De Veaux, chairwoman of the Department of Women's Studies, is hosting "Black Is ... Black Ain't," directed by Marlon Riggs, on Feb. 10. The festival is significant to the entire campus, she said, but noted the film she will host also raises a question more specific to the black community: "What does it mean to be black?"
"The festival helps us to ingest who black people are in society and historically, by using images of black people that are by black people," De Veaux said.
Lillian S. Williams, chairwoman of the African American studies department, will host "Daughters of the Dust," directed by Julie Dash, on Feb. 17. According to Williams, the film, like the others in the series, focuses on creating a viewpoint that opposes stereotypical conceptions about blacks.
"It is important to show how black people are depicted in all forms of media and in all walks of life," said Shanise Khiney, vice president of UB's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
De Veaux also said the films could be used as an educational tool.
"In this age where media is such a determining aspect in our lives, of the way we think and act toward each other, this provides an important alternative image," said De Veaux.
Approximately 80 people attended the first movie of the series, Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues," on Feb. 3. Sapp said she hopes for a higher turnout at "Black Is ... Black Ain't" as well as for the Feb. 25 viewing of "SLAM," directed by Marc Levin.
"(The festival) sounds like a good idea," said Matt Kemp, a sophomore communication major. "But if you have the discussion after the movie, I think people would leave. If you have it before, I think more people would participate."
It is important for the UB community to participate in events such as this one, Sapp said, because "once you are part of the community, you need to be aware."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
