Some were left speechless, while others were moved by the soul-stirring words of empowerment and wisdom.
The collective voices of many echoed throughout the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium last Saturday at the First Annual Black History Awareness Program and Step Show.
The Associated Students Multicultural Affairs council event and the Men of Honor sponsored the event.
It was not only meant to be a celebration for those who shed blood and tears in the '60s Civil Rights Movement but also an education of what it means to have unity, power and pride for another.
The African American fraternities and sororities burned the stage with their intense, high-spirited and unpredictable stepping.
Suspenders were popping off, spit was flying, bodies were shaking, hair was flapping and sweat was dripping from foreheads, but they never got off step.
Their feet and hand slapping across the thighs and between the legs didn't just play a rhythm of African drums.
It told a historical story of the black struggle, courage and strength it took to get here.
Race didn't have a color in the BMU that night.
Instead, it had character and blossomed diversity. It was a beautiful sight to see people of all colors sitting together and rejoicing in this special event.
Mar' Keyth Powell is a member of Men of Honor, a group of African American men from Chico State and Butte College who get together to talk about personal and community issues.
Powell said they started planning the event three months ago after they found out there was nothing planned for Black History Month.
He said they were a little disappointed to hear that.
"We sacrificed ourselves to come together as a group to put on a show that would bring unity amongst everyone," Powell said.
There were several motivational guest speakers including Dr. Pat Patterson, Nandi Crosby and Ajamu Lamumba.
All three spoke words that were meant to nourish the minds of the youth. They wanted the members of the audience to know that they are privileged and surrounded by endless opportunities that are just waiting to be taken advantage of. Crosby said young people of 2004 are the next generation of doers, movers and thinkers.
"Young people are pregnant with potential," Crosby said. "They just have to learn how to birth that potential in a society where they're so privileged."
Chico State senior Amber Robinson said she really took Crosby's message to heart and that her voice was strong and dynamic.
"I like that fact that she said we're privileged and how we should be compassionate to one another," Robinson said. "And how we should embrace one another and not judge one another based on race, class or gender."
Patterson said he just wants young people to step up a notch, believe in themselves, work hard and learn how to take responsibility for the choices they make.
"Some of us are driving, but we're falling asleep at the wheel, because we're so caught up in the moment of having a good time that we don't have a clear idea of what the big picture is," he said.
Chico High School seniors Lauren Alpert and Ashley Bocast said they felt good about coming to the cultural event. They said it was something new and fresh, was something new for students to experience at Chico State. The show was a first-experience for Bocast.
"I had never seen a poetry slam or a step show before," Bocast said. "It was just amazing, and it's an experience that will stay with me for a long time."
There was also a talent show that consisted of dancers, singers, rappers and poets who talked about politics, government, police brutality and the justice system.
It wasn't just entertaining to watch, but informative.
Some poets even raised controversial questions like the one Breezon Ware recited in his poetry, "What if God was one of us? Would you go trust God if he was George Bush?"
There were oohs and ahhs from the audience showing that everyone was paying close attention to the what was being done on stage.
And most impressive was the fact that it wasn't because there was a competition going on, but because there was talent to be applauded and appreciated, a brilliant message to be absorbed and a lifelong lesson to be cherished.
Cherre Stoneham can be reached at
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