After Gov. Phil Bryant declared April Confederate Heritage Month in Mississippi, UM NAACP members planned to take their own approach in observing the state’s controversial commemoration.
Tysianna “Ty” Marino, UM NAACP ,vice president Buka Okoye, NAACP president and Dominique Scott, UM NAACP secretary, host a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to the deceased African Americans of the Civil War at UM NAAP April 1st. Photo by: Ariel Cobbert
The UM NAACP has coordinated events throughout April to shed light on the African-American perspective of Confederate history in the state, according to Tinecia Francis, UM NAACP chair of member recruitment and retention.
“We are trying to oppose this month by painting the black picture of what the Confederate heritage actually is, hate and oppression towards a group of people,” Francis said.
Earlier this month, the group organized a candlelight vigil in front of the Lyceum to honor fallen slaves. Students and members of the community came together wearing black to light candles and sing hymns.
UM NAACP is also holding a Black History Wax Museum event on April 28. Members of the NAACP and other organizations will pose as prominent figures throughout black history.
Gregory Wilson, UM NAACP recruiting and retention committee member, developed the idea for the event.
“I prompted the idea during a committee meeting for event planning,” Wilson said. “We then decided it would be a great counter program to the Confederate Heritage Month decision when that legislation was brought up to the public later on in the planning period. We felt that this type of program would be engaging for the members and those interacting in the museum.”
The Black History Wax Museum event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in three different locations including the Circle, in front of the Student Union and near J.D. Williams Library.
“It presents African-American history in a stimulating way, while serving as a counter-campaign to Confederate Heritage Month,” Wilson said.
Each location will have a unique theme. The Circle will honor famous black scientists and inventors, the area in front of the Student Union will commemorate black history at the University and the street leading to the Circle will represent the Civil Rights era, including the Black Panther Party.
Through these events, the UM NAACP hopes to generate conversation on campus.
“Confederate Heritage Month is an insult to all African-American people and their ancestors,” Francis said. “America is the only place that can create a month to honor a history of hatred. You do not see the people in Germany hosting a month to remember and honor the fallen Nazis who terrorized Jews.”
