The purpose of African consciousness initiative was developed to promote young African American college students to begin thinking about and challenging the ways, colonialism has affected African peoples worldwide.

Rationale for Initiative : African Consciousness Week is a necessity because it is important for African American students to understand the ways in which neo-colonialism has affected the psyche of Blacks living in America and around the world. The wounds of slavery and hegemony still haunt African Americans today and through African consciousness week, a healthy way of healing these wounds can begin at UCLA. This program is also needed because the state of African peoples depends on it. In a time where there is little or no mass movement amongst young African peoples, programs like this reveal to young Blacks the necessity to continue the struggle of equality and justice. The last reason why this program is needed is to communicate to students the importance of preserving the history of African peoples. Without a history, a people cannot exist. Through this program, students will understand the reason why the past is so important and how it has contributed both negatively and positively to the condition of African peoples today.

Goals for African Consciousness

To open up dialogue about issues affecting the Black community worldwide.
Provide an outlet for African American students to come together and learn from one another and build a strong Black community at UCLA.
Students will walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
They will have the opportunity to challenge their own ways of thinking as well as participate in activities that will cause them to actively brainstorm.
Students who have no prior knowledge of these issues will be introduced to a history and legacy that is often not taught or even known to many.
Students will then be given tools to go into the world and make effective changes concerning injustice and inequality.

Past Events

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Sankofa Movie Night

co-sponsored with the African Student Union

7pm Boelter Hall 3400

Friday, February 25, 2005

Black History SuperQuiz

co-sponsored with the African Student Union

7pm Northwest Auditorium

Last Year's African Consciousness Week Events

April 12-16, 2004

Breakdown of Events:

Monday

Viewing of Sankofa the Movie and (Running Time approximately 2 hours) discussion of the content.

This film, produced by Haile Gerima (a graduate of UCLA film school) explores issues of self-hatred and reclaiming a consciousness that has been lost over the years by African Americans people. This films objective seeks to re-connect African Americans to their past in the spirit of Sankofa, an Akan word which means one must utilize the past in order to move forward so they may understand why and how they came to be.

Given its content, it is appropriate to begin the week with this film to set the pace and mood for the following events and activities. It will evoke emotions and feelings that African Americas tend to keep dormant. By doing this, it will break the ice so that students may feel comfortable discussing what they feel.

Tuesday

Nigga vs. Nigger Discussion and workshop

This workshop seeks to discuss the controversy of using the “N” word in urban speech. Students will debate and present ideas of whether or not there is a difference in using the word by the way it is pronounced. Issues surrounding popular music and film will also be discussed.

Wednesday

Good Hair vs. Bad Hair

This workshop will attack issues surrounding hair in the Black community. Whether or not products such as perms, conks and pressing the hair is self-hatred will be discussed and debated. Clips from the movie school days will be viewed for visual affect to spark interesting debate conversations.

Thursday

Poetry Slam

A poetry cipher will be held to give students a chance to share creative pieces ranging from spoken word to vocal arrangements. If students want to share, there will be a sign u sheet that will begin a week before the event. Poets who did not have a chance to sign u will also have a chance at the cipher to speak during open mic. session. There will also be an MC and a live DJ to keep the energy levels alive.

Friday

All African peoples Dinner

This will be a more relaxed event that will give students a chance to converse freely while enjoying dinner. It will wrap up the weeks events and is a way for the students to reflect on what they have felt, said and heard during the week.

Any questions about this please email admin@gammaxi1947.com