Zeta Phi Beta sorority will highlight the black experience at DePauw through an art exhibit and screening of a student-made documentary, "More Common than Uncommon" Thursday.
The two-part event is part of the organization's annual "Finer Womanhood Week." The first part of the event is an exhibit that features various pictures and research compiled from DePauw archives, which will be on display at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Peeler 103. The second part of the event will be the screening of the documentary "More Common than Uncommon: The Black Experience," created by Zeta Phi Beta senior Angelique Williams and senior Neisha Washington.
The idea for the documentary began when Washington read former associate dean of students Stanley Warren's article "The Black behind the Black and Gold." The seniors then collaborated to do a Winter Term independent study under the supervision of Professor Mac Dixion-Fyle, and began their search in the archives. During her research, Washington discovered a lot of work done by Warren throughout the issues of the university's yearbook.
"[Warren] did quite a bit - he labeled every person of color in "The Mirage" from the early 1900s to his time at DePauw," Washington said.
Williams and Washington then compiled interviews of 19 students in the black community at DePauw where they talked about how they adjusted socially, their thoughts on the racial climate on campus and their perceptions of the black community on campus. Washington said the present day thoughts of the black experience on campus parallel the students of the past.
"The inspiration behind this event was to create a legacy for African American students here," Washington said. "To show that there were people who came before them who felt the same things, experienced the same things, but there's also a lot of difference in experiences as well."
Williams, who is also president of the Lambda Tau chapter, believes the documentary connects with the organization's "Finer Womanhood Week" because of the similar messages both communicate to the DePauw community.
"We try to come up with creative and new ideas, things that haven't been done and issues that need to be addressed that aren't," Williams said.
One of the events in the chapter's "Finer Womanhood Week" is "Relaxation: Connecting the Mind, Body and Soul." Members of the chapter demonstrated techniques to relieve stress through Japanese self healing called Reiki.
The chapter members want the programs to be programs enjoyable as well as educational.
"I hope that people take away something that they didn't know before," Shavon Mathus, member and coordinator of the Lambda Tau chapter's week of events, said. "I hope that this turns them onto not only our organization, but also to other experiences at DePauw."
In addition to the premiere of the exhibit, Thursday also marks the third anniversary of Zeta Phi Beta Lambda Tau's chapter on DePauw's campus.