For many people on campus February is a time to reflect and show respect during Black History Month.

Students on campus are gearing up to participate in a variety of events, whether it be to celebrate their heritage or simply to learn more about another culture.

Everything from a bone marrow drive to special movie screenings to an open mic night has been planned, with more programs being added to the calendar every day.

History junior Geneva Thomas said black history should be important to people of all races.

"I think that a lot of racial conflicts and misunderstandings happen because people don't know history," she said. "If you don't understand history, you are unable to understand what is going on today."

Thomas is the programming director for Black Student Alliance, which acts as a communication hub for blacks on campus, especially when it comes to organizing the calendar of events in February, she said.

"People have been planning for months for some of these events," she said. "I advocate the invitation to all students of any racial or ethnic background to attend all these programs."

The College of Osteopathic Medicine also will take part as it presents the fourth annual Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series, "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey."

The series will feature talks from active participants in the American civil rights movement.

"What the people of the American civil rights movement did benefited all of us," said Pat Grauer, director of public relations for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. "This would be a far different world today if they had not done the work that they did."

Grauer said everyone can learn something from programs that celebrate diversity and that she has enjoyed the past years' programs.

"I've come away just really overwhelmed about what I had learned," she said.

But not every student is interested in all the events scheduled for Black History Month.

Carla Colbeck, a business administration and general management freshman, said she is more interested in the more fun programs than seeing guest speakers.

"This is a college, we go to lectures all day," she said.

But there are some people who feel society should be beyond designating months to celebrate individual races.

"I'd like to see it totally infused and incorporated, so there is no longer a need to single out one month," said Venice Smith, consultant for multicultural issues in the Office of Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were infused into the learning every single day, instead of just the short 28 days of February?"

Staff writer Elizabeth Piet contributed to this report.

Black History Month Events

• All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
• Black Movie Month - Every Monday night in February, 8 p.m., Butterfield Hall lounge.

A look back at slavery.

• "State of Black America" - 7 p.m. today, 222 Bessey Hall.

This program will feature history Professor Pero Dagbovie. Dagbovie will speak on the different issues facing blacks in America. Sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

• "Basement Bash" - 7:30-10:30 p.m., today, Multicultural Center in the Union basement.

Opportunity for students to unwind and learn about culture. Food and games available.

• "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey" - 5 p.m. Friday, Big Ten Room A in the Kellogg Center.

Juanita Jones Aberathy will speak on her first-hand experiences in the civil rights movement.

This event is part of the fourth annual Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series sponsored by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• Screening of "Civil Brand" - 7 p.m., Thursday, Multicultural Center's Heritage Room.

Black Student Alliance will screen "Civil Brand," a look at black women and incarceration. A discussion will follow the screening.

• "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey" - 5 p.m., Thursday, Big Ten Room C in the Kellogg Center.

Aldon Morris will be the guest speaker as part of the fourth annual Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series sponsored by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• "Valentine's Soul Nite" - 6-9 p.m., Feb. 14, Common Grounds Coffeehouse in Akers Hall.

An evening dedicated to praising black love.

Dana Hawes will be the featured guest. Sponsored by the Black Poets Society.

• "Black History" - Performances at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 19, in Hubbard and Akers halls' cafeterias.

Urban Dreams will hold two dance performances with an "alive" theme.

• Screening of "Beef" - Feb. 19, 8 p.m., Union Ballroom, tickets are available.

About the rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Sponsored by Ebony Productions and CME.

• "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey" - 5 p.m., Feb. 19, Kellogg Center's Auditorium.

Gardner Calvin Taylor will be the guest speaker as part of the fourth annual Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series sponsored by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• "Roller Skating with the Grads" - 10 p.m.- midnight, Feb. 20, Edru Skate-A-Rama, 1891 Cedar St. in Holt.

Enjoy music and roller-skating to promote this cause. Sponsored by the African American Celebratory.

• "Expanding the Knowledge of Our Black Roots" - Feb. 22, 5-7 p.m., Auditorium.

The Second Annual Black History Program's theme will feature guest speakers, Hubbard Hall's and Shaw Hall's Black Caucuses, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Black Poets Society, MSU Gospel Chorale, Sankofa dancers and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

• "Retrospect… The Revolution's Here!!" - 6:30 p.m., Feb. 24, location to be determined.

This event will educate the community on where the African American movement is now and where it plans to go. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

• American Red Cross Bone Marrow Drive - Kick-off at 6 p.m., Feb. 24, West Wilson Hall lounge.

Sponsored by the Wilson Hall Racial Ethnic Student Aides.

• "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey" - 5 p.m., Feb. 26, Big Ten Rooms B and C in the Kellogg Center.

Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. will be the guest speaker as part of the fourth annual Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series sponsored by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• "Influential Black Women," 6:30 p.m., Feb. 26th, location to be determined. A look at the power behind black women. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• "Soul Nite/Open Mic," 7 p.m. -10 p.m., Feb. 28, West Shaw Hall lounge.

An evening of expression, featuring members of Black Poets Society.