By Mahamadou Sumareh
Staff Writer
During the month of February, FDU students are recognizing the efforts of their predecessors and are paying it forward by uniting and rising to new heights, especially in Greek life.
“[It is] a month’s worth celebration of the trials and tribulations that Black people for generations had to endure to even be where we are currently,” said Jonathan Aboky-Djanty, a senior electrical engineering major and member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
In terms of the university’s involvement in Black History Month, there is more left to be desired.
Aboky-Djanty says more could be done on the university’s part, such as promoting on official university social media accounts and hosting more events.
He stresses that without the students, there is no FDU. The student body should be taken more seriously considering that most people who are heavily involved on campus are Black.
There is also a feeling that student organizations are being left to make the effort. Eme, like other students, would love to see more from the school and how they support the black students on campus.
“I feel like the [student] organizations support black history month more than the university. I barely see any representation of Black History Month around campus besides from the student organizations,” said Anthony Eme, a FDU senior biology major and member of Omega Psi Phi.
Eme connects the mission of Omega Psi Phi to the values he carries with him as a black student at FDU, not just during Black History Month, but all year long.
“[Omega Psi Phi] aims to bring about the union of college men of similar high ideals of scholarship and manhood in order to stimulate the attainment of ideas and ambitions of its members,” said Eme.
This mission helps brothers of the fraternity remain united and rise together.
Carter G. Woodson, a founder of Black History Month, was a member of Omega Psi Phi – a detail that Eme takes pride in and one that reminds him to commemorate the historic contributions of Black people. Our fraternities recognize that this month shows them their worth and importance in today’s society, while also reminding them that there is still work to be done and more barriers to break.
In addition to unifying people to achieve greater things, Black History Month serves as a reminder to respect the past accomplishments and sacrifices made by previous generations.
Black History Month does not only serve to celebrate black culture, but to unify people and inspire each other to achieve beyond what is believed to be capable, a theme which is evident within the core values of the Black fraternities on campus. These fraternities have internalized this within their core values. Though there is more to be desired on the university’s end, Black excellence shines across campus through its students.
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The active brothers of the Omicron Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. From top to bottom: Marcel Paradise, Jonathan Aboky-Djanty and Bobby Murugami.
