F E ATU RE S
September lo, 2010
MUSEUM
SANKOFA illuminates centuries ef African American heritage
Continued FRori page I
"1 was disappointed because he was a straight 'A' student,
which meant it wasn't being taught," said Jennings. "And so
it was either me or the teacher."
"It's an amazing exhibit," said Dana Professor of English
Carolyn Beard Whitlow. "I don't think anyone could attend
and not learn something."
Indeed, there was plenty for those who wished to learn.
While common figures in African American history, such as
Fredrick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King,
were represented, there were also pieces providing knowl
edge about lesser-known figures, such as Richard Allen, Ida
B. Wells, and Cathay Williams.
A large section devoted to inventions created by Africans
and African Americans also gave visitors something new to
learn. Items one might not have expected to see, from the
hairbrush to the helicopter and many more, sat on that table.
"I thought I knew a lot, but you can never know enough,"
said Afanda. "I've gone through Guilford for four years,
but none of this was taught to me. We talk about the Wright
brothers, but not the gentleman who gave us the helicopter."
Afanda was not alone in admiring the inventions section.
"So often American culture doesn't think of African
Americans contributing other than in music, song, dance,
and comedy," said Whitlow. "But there are so many conve
niences and medical necessities that are available today, and
we never think they were invented by African Americans."
Since the exhibit started, Jennings' nephew has learned
more, too.
"He challenges me now," remarked Jennings. "And if he's
reading, he's reading about the culture."
But the exhibit provoked more than just intellectual stimu
lation.
Visitors saw barbaric scenes from the slave trade through
paintings, complimented by authentic shackles and a whip.
The tour moved through the Civil War era, presenting the
most profound and moving writings of abolitionists.
Visitors were also confronted with lynching photography
in a section so disturbing yet provoking that it was impos
sible not to pause and
ponder. The exhibit con
tinued to chronicle the
brave achievements of
countless activists.
The tour ended with a
table in the center of the
room devoted entirely
to President Obama and
his family, representing
both progress and the
issues we still face as a
society.
"There should be a
more holistic view of
American history, in
cluding African Ameri
cans, Latinos, Asian
Americans, and ev
eryone," said Africana
Community Coordina
tor Jada Drew.
Although the museum raised many issues, the overall
feeling at SANKOFA was one of inclusion and celebra
tion.
"One of our values at Guilford is community, and
this is really building community," Drew said. Accord
ing to Drew, people came in from Guilford's campus and
Greensboro and were made part of that community.
Drew said that they would invite the museum back
next year. But Afanda didn't think that people should
wait that long.
"People should not think, 'When is this .coming
again?"' Afanda said. "Instead, they should take that cu
riosity and learn on their own."
Jennings certainly encourages people to pursue leam-
ing.
"Students need to know about our struggle, our pride,
and our success, that we, as African Americans have
made."
(Top) Sophomore Jeffery Jarvis studies the photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the
SANKOFA exhibitThe African American Museum on Wheels came to Guilford Sept. I and 2. (Below) A
museum patron peruses the section of the exhibit on the history and horrors of slavery in America.
Connor captivates with reading from new short story coDection
By Nick Bunitsky
Staff Writer
On Sept. 2, a large audience waited in the
Carnegie Room with palpable excitement
for a reading sure to enliven the creative
mind. As Assistant Professor of English and
Director of Writing Cynthia Nearman took
the podium to introduce the star of the eve
ning, it became certain that no one would
leave unfulfilled.
"See how lucky we are to have with us
this Queen of Mutants, who will tolerate no
followers, and whom we recognize as roy
alty only because this is the case," said Ne
arman. "Please join me in welcoming Traci
O. Connor."
The crowd began to clap with anticipa
tion as Assistant Professor of English Traci
Connor walked behind the podium. Smil
ing and looking across the room, she began
her introduction.
"Guilford College is a really special
place," said Connor. "So thank you for not
only being here, but for being a part of my
writing. The story Tm going to read tonight
is called 'The Flying Codona.'"
"The Flying Codona" is the first story
from Connor's new book, "Recipes for En
dangered Species."
Traci's own reading was really an
aerial experience. It somersaulted,
swayed and sliced through the air
as the audience sat in anticipation
of the next jump."
Diya Abdo, assistant professor of English
Connor then prefaced the reading with
a brief, though informative, explanation
of the title. Alfredo Codona was a circus
aerialist (or trapeze artist) born in 1893. His
first wife, Lillian Leitzel (another famous
trapeze artist), died during a performance.
Alfredo would later take his own life as well
as his second wife's, leaving a tragic story
interwoven with a rich history of perfor
mances in his wake.
Though the story is not about Alfredo,
Connor's introduction set the tone for the
catastrophic lives of the story's characters,
full of recognizable yet adventurous experi
ences.
As Connor said previously, "Every story
in my collection is pretty much about this:
Traci Connor, assistant professor of
English, presents from her recently published
collection of short fiction during her reading
in the Carnegie Room on Sept. 2.
As human beings we often fail to see other
human beings as human beings."
"Tuesdays, Zha Zha's tits are made
of cantaloupe and she eats them with a
spoon," began Connor. "'Mother's milk,
mother's milk,' she chants, juice and pulp
spilling from her lips."
Connor read as the audience listened
closely, every ear tuned for just these words,
this moment.
"Everyone was so entranced by her voice
and by the characters that it seemed as if the
whole audience was holding its collective
breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop,"
said junior Meredith Brown.
"I loved the way Traci prefaced her read
ing with the story of Alfredo Codona, the
trapeze artist," said Assistant Professor of
English Diya Abdo. "Traci's own reading
was really an aerial experience. It somer
saulted, swayed and sliced through the air
as the audience sat in anticipation of the
next jump."
Throughout the story, the audience was
visibly pulled into the reading. And as the
story came to a close, one could tell thet it
would be difficult for anyone to walk away
unmoved.
"It's Saturday, and Zha Zha is pulling the
lily apart," read Connor, winding the story
down. "'Love me, love me, love me,' she
drones. Petals fall in pieces to the stage."
This would not be the end for audience
members and readers though. The inspir
ing "Recipes for Endangered Species" is
only endangered by high sales numbers
and a devoted readership.