Africana Studies activist gives talk on community

Dan Morgan Staff Writer

Bernice Johnson Reagon, a decorated and distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at American University, gave a lively lecture to the Vassar community last Wednesday, April 20,entitled “Lifting High Every Voice: Race and Community in the American Experience.” Reagon’s talk consisted of energetic a cappella and authoritative lecturing.

The lecture began with a welcoming performance by the Poughkeepsie Al'Kebulan Drumming Circle. After two energetic drumming pieces by the members of Al’Kebulan, singers Chelsea Adewunmi ’05, Rachel Elliott ’06, Lauren Johnson ’07, and Sarah Siegel ’08 sang two songs composed by Reagon called “We’ve come a long way to be together” and “A new day comes.”

Reagon has been a leading American historian, composer, and hero of racial discourse for many years. She is also the founder of an internationally renowned a cappella ensemble known as Sweet Honey in the Rock. She worked as Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

Reagon’s lecture may have taken some people by surprise. Her experience as a singer provided the audience with colorful song talk enlivened with historical anecdotes. Her melodic narrative moved from a discussion on the work of Harry Moore for the NAACP in Florida to the power of a unified community in her account of the bus boycotts of Montgomery Alabama in 1955.

Drawing on her experience as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Reagon said, “Every citizen must strive to revive democracy.”

Bringing Reagon to Vassar was the longtime dream of Jade Keith ’05 of the Africana Studies Program. Keith’s admiration and respect for Reagon moved her to propose having her come speak at Vassar. “Bringing Reagon to Vassar was important because it was a crescendo of the dialogue on race and community we’ve been having,” said Keith. “Having read all of her accomplishments and knowing her incredible contribution to American history and civil rights, her lecture became even more significant. She was one of the most powerful speakers I’ve seen at Vassar.”

A wide array of departments, programs, student clubs, and the work of committed individuals made Reagon’s talk possible. Keith first spoke with Director of Africana Studies Ismail Rashid about bringing Reagon. “Dr. Rashid’s efforts to coordinate and execute this event that honored Doctor Reagon is a testament to his dedication to the Africana Studies program and the Vassar College community.”

Enthusiasm for the lecture spread to American Culture, Jewish Studies, and Women Studies programs as well as the music, religion, history, and sociology departments. The African Students Union, Black Students Union, Office of Campus Life, Caribbean Students Alliance, PEACE, Poder Latino, the Office of the College President, South Asian Students Alliance, and the Vassar Students Association also assisted.