In honor of Black History Month, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at UA Little Rock hosted three events on campus: Karaoke Night titled “You’re Not Black if You Don’t Know This Song,” “Black People Don’t Litter,” and “Black People Greet.”
The NAACP is an organization that is deeply rooted in service and progressivism to eliminate discrimination on the basis of race and to ensure positive health and well being of all people. Their vision is to secure a society in which all people have equal rights without race-based discrimination.
NAACP hosted “You’re Not Black if You Don’t Know This Song,” on Wednesday, Feb. 5 in Ledbetter Hall A. This event was a karaoke night where willing participants got up on stage and performed a song of their choice. The songs played ranged from old R&B jams such as “Before I let Go,” by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, to current, popular hip-hop songs such as “The Box” by Roddy Rich. The event also consisted of free food from Cici’s Chicken and Waffles and various free prizes. Some of the prizes won by individuals included speakers, candy, Walmart gift cards, bedroom lights, digital alarm clocks and coffee cups.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, NAACP presented “Black People Don’t Litter,” a street cleanup event on Fair Park Blvd. A total of ten members of the chapter participated in the cleanup. The members were split up into two groups of five; one group was assigned West 24th St. through West 28th St., while the other group was in charge of West 19th S. through West 23rd St. Everyone was given a bright, yellow vest to wear for safety purposes while cleaning up on the side of the road. Each group was also given a pair of gloves, a standard trash picker and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Many of the trash items picked up included alcohol bottles, cigarette butts, glass pieces restaurant cups and at the end of the cleanup, several trash bags were placed at the end of West 28th to be picked up by the city of Little Rock.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, NCAAP hosted “Black People Greet,” a speed dating event in honor of Valentine’s Day in Ledbetter Hall A of the Donaghey Student Center. Speed dating involves a group of singles going on fast paced dates with each other. At the event, two tables were set up on each side of the room. Individuals sat across from each other for one minute and asked any questions they wanted to know about that person. Once the clock ran down, individuals on one side of the table moved down to the next person and the dating continued. At the end of the night, many people left with each other’s social media and contact information. The NAACP served food at the event such as pizza, dessert, fruit, and drinks. In between conversations, tickets, a pen, and a collection plate were passed around for participants to put their name into a drawing for prizes. The prizes consisted of a goody bag filled with candy, a coffee mug, and a small teddy bear. However, the biggest reward of the event was a $50 gift card for two individuals to the Movie Tavern. Two members of the chapter won that prize.
The UA Little Rock NAACP collegiate chapter intends to host more fun, student-friendly events like “You’re Not Black if You Don’t Know This Song,” “Black People Don’t Litter” and “Black People Greet” in the future.
