Last week the African Student Association celebrated African Week in an effort to educate PV students about different African cultures, showcase what the group has to offer, and attempt to help bridge the gap between native Africans and African Americans. The ASA became an official club in the spring of 2004, but it is growing in membership at a rapid rate. The ASA’s members come from all parts of Africa and the West Indies. Though most of the members are of African descent, the association accepts any students who want to join the club. ASA’s president, Paul Frank, made it clear that “anyone who is interested in the club and learning about different cultures is welcome to join Africans and non-Africans alike.”
To kick the week off the club had a cake cutting in the MSC, a movie night where the popular African movie titled “The Power of One” was shown, and a show filled with poetry and drama. Also during the week’s festivities there was a cultural workshop held where countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the Ivory Coast showcased their native jewelry, clothing, and food.
Although each of these countries has its own languages and traditions that separate them, they all came together to show the African culture as a whole. The members danced, played drums, and did native calls together as our ancestors did 1,000 years ago. They not only showed off their separate countries but solidarity with one another.
The ASA’s mission is to create a sense of community among students on campus. Velvet Fitzpatrick, the club’s treasurer states that the “ASA is working to fight prejudices and help Prairie View produce productive people.