Black Student Union Sings Anthem

Igwebuike Kicks off Black History Month with Song

Eduardo CuevasTHE SANTA CLARAFebruary 5, 2015

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]pproximately 30 students performed an 80-second rendition of civil rights activist and poet James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem, in Benson Memorial Center’s main cafeteria on Monday during the lunch hour.

“It was loud. It was something you couldn’t ignore,” said Lauren Gardiner, co-chair of Igwebuike. “That’s a big factor in reaching out to people who normally wouldn’t be aware of (Black History Month).”

Known as “Bum-Rush Benson,” the performance was organized by Igwebuike, the black student union of Santa Clara’s Multicultural Center. According to Gardiner, the performance of the Black National Anthem has been a campus tradition, marking the start of Black History Month in February.

With approval from Benson Center management and Media Services, the song was performed with accompanying music in the cafeteria, while television screens displayed lyrics.

“Bum-Rush Benson” precluded a black history celebration luncheon on the Alameda Mall. Both were part of a larger series of events sponsored by Igwebuike and the Office for Multicultural Learning to celebrate African American culture this month.

Contact Eduardo Cuevas at ecuevas@scu.edu .