Syriana Etheart: Attending Preformances- Spelman Chinese Club Performance for the Lunar New Year (2 Points)

 On February 19th, I attended a performance hosted by Spelman’s Chinese club in celebration of the Lunar New Year. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I attended this event, but I was pleasantly surprised. The performance opened with members of the Chinese club and students of Chinese classes singing traditional Chinese songs and poems. I was truly amazed by the abilities of my Spelman sisters. It was amazing to see them sing and recite all in Chinese. As they were singing, I truly felt immersed in the culture. I also knew some of the girls performing, so I loved being able to support them. 

Following the initial presentation of songs and poems, there was a traditional dance. Members of a local Chinese culture theatre club in Atlanta came to perform for us. Before performing, the director gave us some background information on the importance of the Lunar New Year and wished us all prosperity. She also told us about the importance of traditional Chinese theatre and how they keep it alive. I loved how in part of her introduction, the director spoke directly to the Spelman students who performed in Chinese. I was amazed to see them hold an entire conversation in Chinese. I believe this really shows the power that’s present in learning another language and the barriers it can cross. Especially since Chinese isn’t as popular as other languages, I loved seeing it still being appreciated and honored. 

Watching the traditional Chinese theatre dancers was very interesting. I loved seeing the dancers dressed in very traditional Chinese costumes and makeup. I believe cultural appreciation and being immersed in other cultures are so important. Especially in the present day, where conservatism and conformity are at an all-time high, I especially want to be more intentional about appreciating other cultures, not just Black culture. 

Overall, I thought this was an amazing event. It was very well put together, and it was clear that a lot of work had been put into it. I definitely hope there are more events similar to this one hosted in the future so I can continue to expose myself to different cultures and learn about the world around me.