Black power is a sense of community — this is the definition Ashley Hall keeps with her in her everyday life.
"(Black power) is a term used to express a sense of pride and to rejoice in the ethnic roots we have accomplished so far," the journalism senior said. "It's important we all have a definition of the word."
Many in the MSU community gathered to discuss the racial climate and to inspire a better future at Tuesday's Black Power Rally in the Fairchild Theatre. Several speakers and performers participated in the 33rd annual event, put on each year by the Black Student Alliance, or BSA.
"It's always an uplifting and entertaining event," said Crystal Eddins, advertising senior and BSA member. "It's just for empowerment of the black community in light of being on a prominently white campus and society."
The event was planned to feature performances and speakers such as DJ Reality, 3rd Eye Open, Urban Dreams, poet Amiri Baraka, Lansing educator Freya Rivers and Denise Troutman, an MSU associate professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures.
The event is not only an opportunity to uplift and encourage students now but as they seek their degrees and beyond, said Tammye L. Coles, BSA adviser.
"It's to motivate and encourage students, particularly students of color, who may be faced with challenges in the classroom or on a daily basis," Coles said. "The bottom line is to give them ongoing encouragement so that they not only graduate but then go out and are great reformers and contributors to society."
Hall said people need to come together to find solutions to enduring issues such as racism and affirmative action.
Premedical junior Damany Thomas has attended the Black Power Rally for the past three years and said the event helped him focus on the larger picture.
"The free time we have, you can get lost really easy," he said. "It's inspirational — it helps you focus and think about school and what you want to do with your life."
Event coordinators attempt to bring in speakers with messages or philosophies that would coincide in some way with the event's theme, Eddins said.
"We don't want to be repetitious, we want new ideas and to address issues that are important in the community," she said. "We try to pick people who could fit in with that and who could complement or enhance that theme."
The theme for this year's rally was "These Three Words: L.ove, U.nification, V.oice."
The anticipation surrounding this year's event made the planning committee seek unique performers, Eddins said.
"It's exciting to know that people are excited about it," she said. "It puts the pressure on us to know that we need to put on the best program — it is for them.
"We know that we have to bring it and it has to be tight."
Past Black Power Rally speakers have included Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, rapper and activist Sister Souljah and award-winning journalist Joan Morgan.
Eddins said the Fairchild Theatre was chosen as the venue because it allowed for a more intimate setting.
Social relations senior Austin Bernstein said he attended the event to hear Baraka speak as well as exhibit unity between all races.
"If we all are going to coexist, we need to learn where we are coming from," he said. "This is a good way to start."
