Under the baobab: State College community celebrates multicultural unity, more
Congratulations to our friend and local hero, Mike “the Mailman” Herr, who successfully published his memoir, “Pushing the Envelope.” He reminds us that we all have stories to tell and it is never too late to tell them. His book is available through Amazon.
Carol Eicher and Naana Nti of the Community Diversity Group and the Borough of State College hosted the 5th annual Multicultural Unity Fair at the State College Municipal Building last Saturday. The joyful event celebrated our community’s diversity and included live performances, cultural displays, tables and international cuisine.
State College Mayor Ezra Nanes presented a proclamation from the Borough and gave a keynote address and many neighbors of our diverse community performed: Happy Valley Chinese School, Drum Rhythms of West Africa, Wendy Xiu and Mason Li, Pow Wow Dance, Okinawan Karate Demonstration, Roots of Life, Penn State Fanaa, Egyptian Black Cat Belly Dance, Hot Styles Dance Company, a violin solo by Hana Wiessmann, Ram Squad’s Raw Aesthetic Movements, rayDiance Dance Company, Chaar Academy Karate and Ady Martinez.
These days, surrounded by xenophobic rage spewing from our divided country, our humble hamlet is blessed, being exposed to the rich cultural cornucopia of our world community.
In the same spirit, the United Nations Association (UNA) of Central Pennsylvania held its United Nations Day Celebration dinner at the Graduate Hotel. The theme was “The Hard Way Home, A Conversation About Global Migration.” UNA Vice President Savita Iyer-Ahrestani moderated a distinguished panel who engaged in an informative and thoughtful conversation about migration. The panel included: Storai Jalali, a women’s rights advocate from Kabul, Afghanistan; Prof. Samuel Kolawole, born in Nigeria, who teaches English and African Studies at Penn State; and Prof. Andrew K. Sandoval-Strausz, director of Latina/o Studies and history professor at Penn State. UNA President Eva Letwin welcomed nearly 200 of our town’s usual suspects. Board member Norma Keller was given the Global Citizens Award.
We were reminded that migration is not the result of a conspiracy. “No one just leaves home, unless home is the mouth of a shark.”
Elsewhere around town, some of the finest choreography I have ever seen is on display in the School of Theatre’s (SOT) production of “Crazy for You,” directed by Christine O’Grady and choreographed by Michelle Dunleavy. Music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin and the book was by Ken Ludwig. SOT Director Kikora Franklin delighted the sold-out opening night audience when she read a personally written letter from Ludwig to the cast and crew.
The Next Stage Theatre Company opened “Copenhagen” at the Attic at The State Theatre on Halloween and it runs until Nov. 9. The play is directed by Norrine Sims and features Elizabeth Baptista, Michael Berube and Michael Waldheir.
Last weekend, for three days, Tempest Productions presented its annual Edgar Allen Poe Crawl. Participants discovered the twists and turns of Poe’s mind as they strolled through downtown State College, experiencing the macabre.
Five thousand runners and walkers kicked off Thon season Sunday with the annual 5K event, Dream Forward. Thon is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. Since 1977 the students have raised over $236 million to help defeat childhood cancer. Thon weekend will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week starts Nov. 7. Both my father and Jo’s were 20-plus year retirees from the U.S. Army. God bless and thank you, Dads!
And the resistance continues. Thompson Tuesdays will be pausing this Tuesday because of Election Day. In normal times, local elections attract the least number of voters. These are not normal times. Sisters and brothers, your vote is the bedrock foundation of our democracy. We are the people. If we are to rebuild in the rubble, it begins with your vote. Silence is not an option.
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.