Their struggles can often times go unnoticed. Their beauty many times overshadowed by the pressures of mainstream society.
Others can often times forget the instrumental figures that black women can play in anyone's life that it becomes necessary for them to witness something powerful and love-filled to remind them just how much they are loved.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Martin Luther King Center on the campus of Southern University, a special program was held in honor of black women everywhere.
Presented by the PoeArtry Movement and the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., "Profile of a Black Woman III" was an exhibition dedicated to the beauty and struggles of black women in America.
The program, hosted by Antoine "G.H.O.S.T." Mitchell, featured artwork, poetry, song, dance and food for all who attended the event in support of black womanhood.
"When you stand everybody side by side we all look similar," said Mitchell, a senior fine arts major from Norwood. "But it's only when you turn someone to the side and see their profile that you can see what distinguishes them."
But more importantly, Mitchell said the show's purpose was for the dedication of the beauty and worth of black women.
Students filed into the auditorium, each with different motives.
Some said they attended the event for the art, others for the poets, and some said they were simply there for extra credit for a class.
But each audience member present said they left moved and with a new affirmation of their love for black women.
"The show started by my love for my mother and being raised by black women," Mitchell said. "I'm glad to be raised by black women because it helps me to understand their struggles."
The poets, many from Southern, including Mitchell, Latasha Weatherspoon, Dorrian Middleton and Lauren Malbreaux, kept the diversity of the poems unique.
Some quoted famous poems by Langston Hughes, whereas others quoted original pieces ranging from the topics of upliftment, revolution, deferred dreams, battered women and of course praises of the black women.
"'Profile of a Black Woman' captures the quintessential manifestation of black beauty," said Lauren Malbreaux, a senior Opelousas native majoring in political science.
Throughout the show artwork by Mitchell, each with a story about a woman, was put on display and described to the audience. During the explanation of the art, history of black oppression was also shared with the audience.
At the end of the poetry and art portion of the show, and after a brief snack intermission, the Jimbawe Dancers entertained the crowd though dances showcasing their gracefulness and skill.
To close out the show, two solo musical performances performed by Sharnet Nixon and Muhammad Ayers, respectively, soothed the crowd's soul.
The program was one of numerous events in celebration of "Alpha Week 2006," and was an attempt to get away from the normal activities that happen during a Greek Week.
"Alpha Phi Alpha wanted to focus on more than just parties and fashion shows," said Alfred Cooper, a junior majoring in music education from Manning, S.C. "We wanted to get back to our principles of educating blacks."
"That's why we got involved with this powerful program," he said.
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