On Feb. 1, 1960, four black
college students sat down at a
whites-only lunch counter at
the Woolworth’s store on South
Elm Street. They ordered something
that was not on the
menu: Equality and Justice.This February, 41 years
later, America Celebrates Black
History Month. We remember,
we smile to see how far we have
come, and we take steps to go
the rest of the distance. At
Guilford, the African American
Cultural Sociaty (AACS) and African
American Affairs (AAA)
have put together a jam-packed
program to celebrate Black History
Month 2002.

Last week the AACS kicked
off the African American Film
Festival. On Feb. 1, the film
Krush Grove screened in the
Milner Lounge. The plot revolves
around many rappin’
numbers by groups like Run-
DMC and The Fat Boys. Blair
Underwood, who plays a manager
who is looking for funding
to press records for Run-DMC’s
first hit, put on a sincere, adept
performance. The movie portrays
the struggles of African
Americans in the music business.

About 10 people showed
up to see Krush Grove. It would
have been nice to see more in
attendance, especially since it
was a Thursday night.

The second film took us
back to a time when Ronald
Reagan was in his first term,
structured jackets were all the
rage, the Soviet Union was an
“evil empire”, and most of us
were running around in diapers.
Back then Prince’s music
was the freshest thing out
there. Actually, his Purple Rain
music still sounds fresh.

The year 1999 seemed a
long way off when Prince first
sang about it. But it has been
15 years since Purple Rain,
Prince’s first film, hit theaters.
Like Krush Grove, Purple Rain
depicts the hardships and the
glory of being African American
in the ruthless music industry.
Both films have original music,
and great dialogue, but Purple
Rain is a time capsule of legendary
style and attitude.

More people attended
Purple Rain, which played on
Monday in the Walnut room.
Lila Anton said, “I came because
I like Prince.” Of course,
who could ever beat Prince
decked out in shimmering outfits
and big hair, onstage, rolling
on the floor, wailing?

For those who missed the
first two movies, there are still
two more coming up. On the
8th Poetic Justice will screen at
9 p.m. in the Underground, and
on the 25th, Slam will screen
at 7 p.m. in the Walnut room.

Lots of interesting events
are going on this month to celebrate
Black History. For more
information on events and programs,
check out the schedule
to the right.