Wednesday, February 26, 2003
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Wednesday, February 26, 2003 |
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Fayette County Library to celebrate Blended Heritage By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Chris Snell and the Fayette County Public Library have been presenting a Blended Heritage Celebration for the past four years. The event features performances and presentations from people of many different cultures and has grown in size and popularity from one year to the next. But last year Snell and the library caught heat from some citizens and members of the NAACP because the event occurs during Black History Month and though the African-American culture is represented at the event, it is not the only culture represented. "I think I am living the dream of Martin Luther King," said Snell. "It was his wish that one day people be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Blended Heritage celebrates everybody. It brings people together so everyone can learn about everyone else." Snell grew up on a farm in Jackson, Miss., during a time where much of the country was still divided by race. Despite the racial tensions, one of her family's closest friends was a white woman the children knew as Aunt Brucie. "All of the local kids called her that," explained Snell, who recalled days of eating tea cakes and talking with her adopted aunt. Their friendship lasted a lifetime and to this day Snell can't go back to Jackson without thinking of Aunt Brucie Jacks. Snell believes that prejudice has to be taught and that communication is the key to eradicating it. "The more we know about each other, we will realize how much common ground we share," said Snell. "It's like love. You don't know if you're a good kisser or not unless you pucker up." This year's program will feature local author Ferrol Sams, Terrie Ajile Axam of Total Dance Company, dance-percussion-vocal ensemble Giwayen Mata, writer-poet Collin Kelley, singer Lolita Gabriel, and Otto Rondon of the Tahino Trio. "It is a celebration of life, love, passion and struggle," said Snell. "It's about what's in your heart." Snell spoke about the Blended Heritage Celebration with friend and historian Daniel West, who has recently traveled to Nicaragua and Argentina. West's mother Eugenia, the director of the Education Learning Lab at the Library, is from Italy and speaks a number of different languages. It is clear that West learned to appreciate people of all cultures from his mother. Both Snell and West feel that the Blended Heritage Celebration would please the founders of Black History Month, like Dr. Carter G Woodson, because it continues the dream. "I've had people ask me where the section of black books is at the library," said Snell. "They used to fit in one card catalog number, but we're past that. That's the way it used to be. We don't separate based on an author's race." There have been many moments at the Blended Heritage Celebration which have struck a chord with the audience. Last year four members of the original Tuskegee Airmen were in attendance and a historian from the Czech Republic spoke, awestruck by being in their presence. A young Vietnamese woman also spoke at one of the events. She is an artist that attends computer classes at the library, happy to learn and to share her experiences. One can learn about everything and everybody at a library and Snell expands on this idea with the Blended Heritage Celebration. The event is free and all of the performers are performing at no cost. Refreshments will be served and the community will come together under one roof to celebrate everything that makes us who we are. "It will be a perfect evening," promised Snell. "It will make you feel good, delicious like a piece of cake."
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