Closing week of African-American Experience at MC offers something for everyone

February 26, 2009

In the closing week of African-American Experience, events on the Midland College campus covered a lot of bases, delved into a variety of topics and interests, and offered something for everyone.

“The African-American Experience: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” was a month-long, community-wide celebration co-sponsored by Midland College, Midland Independent School District, Wal-Mart, the Midland African American Roots Historical Cultural Arts Council, the Midland African-American Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce and Grooming Excellence & Mastering Success (GEMS).

Activities included a concert by jazz musician, composer, bandleader and ecucator Brad Leali. In 2005, Brad completed his studies at Rutgers University and received his master’s degree in music. A graduate of Rutgers University, and the former head of the jazz program at Texas Tech University, Leali is now the saxophone instructor at the University of North Texas. His performance experience includes tenures with the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra (which earned him a Grammy nomination).

All of this was brought to the stage at MC's Wagner & Brown Auditorium, where Leali and his combo were joined by jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton, in an evening that earned two standing ovations.

Also taking the stage at Wagner & Brown that weekend was the “Know Whair We’ve Been, Whair We’re Going: Hair & Fashion Show.” Described as "a virtual walk through history," it featured hairstyles and fashions from the past, present and beyond, prepared by local professionals and students.

On a more serious note were events such as the symposium “Human Intolerance: The Scourge of the 21st Century.” A learned panel of instructors, facilitated by MC's Assistant Coordinator of Development Studies James Fuller, united to discuss the painful issue of 'hate crimes.'

Dr. Damon Kennedy presented information on lynchings while Government Professor Lee Almaguer discussed his personal experience with intolerance: his father was refused service in Lubbock as late as 1963. History Instructor Frank De La O looked at human intolerance from a national policy perspective and Dr. Todd Houck clarified that any race can commit hate crimes. Visiting UTPB Sociology Professor Dr. Joanna Hadjicostandi focused on the hierarchical nature of hate crimes and how often it is the “power group” who is inflicting violence against a minority group. Dr. Paula Gray discussed the phenomenon in Tulia, Texas where a raid was conducted in 1999 by a corrupt lawman, and, subsequently, many African-American citizens were wrongfully held in prison for years.