Kappa Alpha Psi is one of the historically Black fraternities FIU has to offer here on campus. Founded when the school was first born into its existence, this organization of brotherhood upholds many of the principles and values their Black ancestors set forth many years ago. One such example would be that of pride and the celebration of their African heritage, not just from the American stand point but acknowledgment of the African ancestry of the world. When the African slaves of various countries (throughout Latin America and the Caribbean especially) were eventually freed from the harshness of servitude they began to rejoice at their newfound independence. The jubilation, initially involving singing and dancing, over time has expanded into a variety of activities that today extend from reggae music to costumes to parades. This celebration, eventually known as Carnivale took place in early October in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Thus on October 21, 1999, the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi presented to the students of FIU a post-Carnivale celebration in Gracies Grill here on campus.
This activity involved a stylistic DJ who played a variety of music, ranging from the smooth post-modern sounds of reggae king Bob Marley to the contemporary resonance of hip-hop diva Lauryn Hill. In addition to allowing the students in attendance to enjoy smooth sounds of innovative melodies, they were also introduced to several interesting facts pertaining to the African culture. For example the fact that Brazil, although notorious for its high percentage of Blacks, was the last country in the world to abolish slavery. This activity not only allowed the student body here at FIU to have a good time, but at the same time it provided fascinating insight into the African culture throughout the world. This in turn allowed those who are of African descent to learn something new about their culture and heritage and for those who were simply there for a good time it provided them with the opportunity to simply learn something new. Although having a good time is always important, for me, being able to learn something about my heritage is even more vital. Learning something about ones ancestry is an excellent way to allow yourself to free as well as open your mind to endless possibilities as well as appreciate the little things in life about our identity we sometimes take for granted.
The Essay on African American and Haitian Heritage
There are many different beliefs and values with the African American Culture compared to the Haitian Culture relating to child bearing and pregnancy. Both of the cultures have history of having large families in the rural areas, which was viewed as a necessary necessity because of the economic pressures each culture went though. The African American choice of birth control was oral contraceptives ...
