Under the baobab: Being ‘culturally prepared’ makes all the difference
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”-Maya Angelou
At the invitation of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, SLMDances company from New York completed a one week residency at the university last week. SLMDances will be performing at Lincoln Center later in the spring. Led by Sydnie L. Mosley, the multiethnic, multiracial group conducted several workshops throughout Centre County. One of these was the “tell your own story” project for seniors at the Centre Hall Fire Hall. About 30 elder participants were trained in how to create and perform stories from their own experiences. It was scheduled to be a three-hour session.
After a short introduction, we formed smaller work groups led by members of the dance company. One of the smaller groups decided to leave. When I inquired as to the reason for their premature departure, their facilitator said, “They were not culturally prepared for this exercise. ... This is not what they were expecting.” Three of the half dozen folks who left gave me, the only African American male in the room, unvoiced disparaging looks. The majority of the seniors stayed and had a productive workshop. Later at a debriefing breakfast, the team member who worked with them confirmed that from the beginning they had been somewhat hostile. Sadly in our semi-siloed existence many of us are not “culturally prepared” to engage those who are racially or ethnically different. It is difficult to have a conversation if we are not in the same room.
A week later CPA sponsored another group, the Soul Science Lab, who performed “Make a Joyful Noize” at a matinee for State College high school and middle school students. The performance was sponsored by Chad and Laura Mitchell and led by Penn State alum and creative director Chen Lo. It was an electrifying brilliant performance by an all-African American hip-hop band. It had the young and overwhelmingly white crowd on their feet, “waving their arms in the air, like they just don’t care.” The audience committed their spirits to the experience, which the band felt and acknowledged. They responded by giving an exhilarating performance. Their dedicated and concerned teachers (who are overwhelmingly white), had clearly “culturally prepared them.” This weekend we saw some of the reason why things can change.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. opened a new exhibit called “AfroFuturism, A History of Black Futures.” Using themes of technology, science fiction, space, mythological and fictional heroism to generate narratives that aren’t defined by slavery, racism and violence. The exhibit envisioned fuller, brighter futures for African Americans. When it opened to the general public the museum welcomed hundreds of school children, mostly white, taught by caring and conscientious teachers, who clearly saw their task as preparing their students for the diverse world into which they will soon enter.
Transformation does not happen by accident or through the unwinding of some mystical clock. The cocoon does not just wither to dust and fall away. As the butterfly struggles to free itself from its past so must we. Our society progresses when our children’s caring and under-compensated teachers help to expand their universe and perspective. Our children soar when we give them wings.
***
Ramadan Mubarak, brothers and sisters. Last Wednesday began the 30 days of fasting, prayer and self-reflection that commemorates the Prophet Mohammad’s (MPBUH) first revelation. It occurs this year during the Christian season of Easter and also during the Jewish Passover which begins on April 5.
Lastly, thank you, Coach Shrewsberry for showing us that it is possible to build a competitive college team without corruption. Blessings on your future efforts (except when your team is playing Penn State).
Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lion’s Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
