PSH Black Heritage
Maafa:
Did you know that right here at Penn State Harrisburg there was
an opportunity to share the experience of The Middle Passage...at no cost?
The performance took place Thursday February 27th right here in our own
Gallery Lounge. I must admit that attendance was very sparse, however
that did not impact the power or the message. To all those who could not
attend for whatever reason I must say that you missed a wonderful per
formance.
Harambee United Church of Christ (UCC) brought the show to us.
They have been performing this dramatization since 1998 The perform
ance commemorates the Maafa, which is a Swahili word-meaning
calamity. The Maafa recounts the stories of Africans whom were from their
homelands and sold into slavery.
The opening scene was set in modern times with two older
African-American women reminiscing about the stories passed down to
them by their elders. The stories retold the horrific experiences of African-
Americans beginning with their capture and separation thru slavery and
ended with the current attempts to establish and maintain unity between
Blacks and Whites in the present.
The horrific experiences that Africans went through to come to
America against their will were felt throughout the performance. One scene
in particular depicted the actual slave ship and its overcrowded condition.
Amidst the performers' moans and groans paired with the ambient sounds
of shackles and chains you could hear the members of the audience snif
fling and asking one another for tissue.
This performance was very informative and is one of many ways
to remember our collective history. I had the opportunity to speak to some
of the performers, one of whom attends PSH, and they all felt the need for
such informative programs.
Here are some comments:
"Spread diversity, so more people can see it. Everyone should
have the opportunity to see (Maafa). Penn State University needs a mes
sage, especially with all the issues of diversity that they have had to deal
with and continue to deal with." -Mrs. Kathy Guider of Harrisburg
"We need more diversity because we are a diverse people. I have
German, African, and Irish relatives. We all are one people and we need to
go back to our roots...together. The culmination of all this should be unity
and we share the blood of Jesus Christ." -Sherle Seigle of . Steelton, Actress
from Harambee UCC
"Certain classes like Humanities, History and Theatre classes
should have encouraged their students to participate. Depending on the
event, certain classes should encourage attendance, especially evening
courses. Students sneak in because they can't leave classes, but enrichment
is absolutely necessary to broaden horizons." -Robyn Perry-Smith of
Harrisburg, Student at PSH and Actress from Harambee UCC.
Above performers are seen interprting conditions on
slave ship during the middle passage
Celebration
The Middle Passage
By Sinead Deßoiste
Business Manager
Photo By Steve Wilson
Honors Seminar: Comparative Justice and Political
Systems (Summer 431
Assoc. Profes
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