Expressions of Blackness Kicks Off this Spring’s Cultural Nights

By Remy Zerber
Culture Columnist

Expressions of Blackness is a cultural night that is put on every year at SMC to celebrate the Black community here on campus. It is a night filled with fun events and performances. A memorable quote that summed up the night is “Home is where you make it,” as the theme of the night was “Homecoming”.

This cultural night had many musical performances. One of the songs they sang was “Clocks” by Coldplay. I can tell why they chose this song because it has a lot to do with the theme of “Home.” This song has many interpretations for what it is about, but one thing is for sure: the singer wants to go home at the end of the song. What home represents is up to interpretation. My interpretation of the song is it is about a relationship and the singer is watching their time together tick by. Home represents the person that he has fallen for. 

There was also Nigerian music at the event. The person who played this song was originally from Nigeria, so it reminded him of home. Two other students sang the “Black National Anthem.” This song is about all the suffering the Black community had to go through to finally get their freedom. The next song that was played was “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. This song is about racism and the Black experience. It connects to the theme of home because the Black community is home for many Black people. The cultural night opened with two people playing the drums, which is very reminiscent of Africa.

In addition to music, many people also told their stories. Some people used nonverbal forms of storytelling. For example, there was a dancer who did an interpretive dance. She swung herself around using her whole body. One performer also said he has lived in many different places so he doesn’t know where his real home is so he calls home wherever he feels at home. This connects to the theme of home. Another student showed a film she made about Rose, one of the first Black women to attend SMC. This was an important milestone for Saint Mary’s.

The Expressions of Blackness Cultural Night was definitely a night to remember with many performances and stories. Home was a big theme throughout the night.