The WALRUS The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. - Lewis Carroll Vol LXVII, No. 4 St. Sebastian’s School February 2014 Black History Month Assembly Highlights Affirmative Action dreds of years and then once allowed mentored Steve Pemberton, author By JACK ADAMS ‘15 to race would do so in chains and of “A Chance in the World”, the On Monday, February 2nd, as the shackles. This is the view of many all-school read this past summer school day finished around 1:30, a African Americans in their commu- and guest speaker earlier in the rare occasion, the entire St. Sebas- nities today. After finishing the first year. Mr. Bunch’s main message tian’s community gathered in Ward round of excerpts, Dana Hall again was directed to all students at St. Hall to celebrate our annual Black took the stage with a performance Sebastian’s. When we prepare to History Month Assembly. Filing into of Kirk Franklin’s “Melodies from apply for colleges and think of where the rows of seats, students grew quiet Heaven”. we will be best fit at for four of the and whispers were heard around The next MPA members to take most important years of our lives we the room, as all were buzzing with the podium, Adama Kaba ’17 and need to think of diversity. Mr. Bunch excitement. Prior to the assem- Maynel Fuentes ’16, continued stressed that diversity will forever bly, Tyson Mattox ’15 offered his sequentially through Joseph Tran’s need to be a part of life and we need opinions to some classmates on the paper. This pair read excerpts about to prepare ourselves to know how to upcoming assembly, “This time is affirmative action and its role in the act in situations with a diverse and gonna be even better than last year. application and acceptance to col- very different crowd when we move I mean I got a preview right here if lege for minorities. Implementing on in life. y’all wanna hear some right now.” the acceptance rates from colleges Mr. Bunch then took a group of MPA Aturo Adkins ‘14, the Men with across the country, a strong case was members of different ages and even Positive Attitudes (MPA) president, presented for the need of affirma- a few Dana Hall Choir members, a opened the ceremony with a warm tive action. This specific aspect of new attempt to further involve our welcome and invitation for Fr. Arens college and affirmative action would guests in the assembly, into the AV to help all pray. Aturo introduced the later be discussed in more depth room to televise a “fishbowl” where theme of this year’s Black History by the guest keynote speaker. For they talked about affirmative action Professor Dan Bunch addresses the St. Seabastian’s community at this year’s Black History Month Assembly. Month Assembly, “Thina Simunye” their last vocal performance of the and diversity in their lives as students translated into English as “We are day, Dana Hall Gospel Choir stood and people thus far in their growth. together”. After a quick reflection on and delivered their own version of Mr. Burke rose and closed the as- Mother-Son Mass Brings St. this theme and its close relationship Fred Hammond’s “We Lift Up Your sembly with his remarks on the role to the theme of the year for Seb’s, Name”. To celebrate the wonderful of this year’s theme, community, and community, MPA featured the first singing of Dana Hall, St. Sebastian’s a prayer. of their main focuses this year, the students led a clamorous round of After the assembly Mr. Meyer Cham- Sebastian’s Families Together Q: What was it like to sing with your crowd walked to their tables in the Black Bruins. applause. bers agreed to answer a few ques- By STEVIE KAROL ‘17 mother? transformed Ward Hall at the conclu- The lights dimmed as all eyes shifted Once again Joseph Tran’s paper on tions regarding the assembly. When On a cold January evening, the mothers MM: I sing with my mother all the time sion of the Mass. At dinner, I observed to the projector screen and a spo- affirmative action would take the talking about the fishbowl use during of St. Sebastian students arrived at St. so it felt comfortable. two trends of seating arrangements ken word clip by Sy Stokes of the forefront as Tyson Mattox ’15 and the assembly Mr. Chambers re- Bartholomew’s Church for the annual Q: How did you choose the song? during the annual event. There was Black Bruins, an African American/ Jordan Brydie ’14 read more ex- sponded with “The fishbowl, though Mother/Son Mass and Supper. This MM: My mom always loved the song the usual combination of son, mother, diversity club at the University of cerpts. As they read, the next main presented through simulcast, is not event is a highlight of the year as all “The Prayer”, and she’s been waiting son, mother, etc, sitting around a table California Los Angeles, came on. Sy message from Tran’s paper involved a foreign concept to Seb’s. We’ve the moms and sons in attendance take a f o r a n e v e n t t o p e r f o r m i t . and there was the increasingly popular break from their busy schedules to pray Q: How often do you and your mother combination of tables of all students spoke about affirmative action and its affirmative action in respect to done that before. Its addition to the together, enjoy delicious food, great sing together? and another table of all mothers. Al- role in the past, present, and future employment. Drawing upon a social BHM program gave us an opportu- conversation, and enjoy a special night. MM: We sing together all the time; though this combination seems like the specifically at UCLA. With great experiment where hundreds of ap- nity vary the presentation and include As the large group of mother and sons on car rides, in church, at home, you ideal seating arrangement for a social passion, Sy captured the attention plications went to many businesses Dana Hall on a more meaningful joined together in the Church, Fr. Arens name it. If we can sing together, we evening, maybe we as sons can make of all St. Seb’s students and faculty with all the same credentials but level. My personal feelings are that delivered a touching speech about the usually do. It’s as natural as talking in a better effort to make the night more members. Along with Sy’s message, differing names some “black names” it was a “win-win”. It was good for invaluable connection between a moth- our family. about our mothers. Before digging into a paper written by Seb’s Joseph Tran and the others “white names”. After our students to experience fishbowl- er and son. He talked about his special Q: Did she influence your music abil- our caesar salad appetizers, Mr. Burke relationship with his own mother and delivered a short speech and encour- ’14 would highlight and underline the experiment, the “white names” ing on a larger scale. It was good for ity/teach you how? how lucky we are to share such a MM: My mother hasn’t really affected aged everyone to share in grace. With the importance of affirmative action drew more callbacks from the busi- our AV program to stretch itself and beautiful connection with our mothers. my style much at all but my ability and Mr. Burke’s approving words “Bon in today’s communities and country. nesses despite having the same exact discover some new media possibili- Throughout the Mass, Fr. Arens con- affinity certainly comes from her. She Appétit”, we were treated to a buffet But first the Dana Hall Gospel Choir, credentials as the “black names”. ties for the future.” Mr. Chambers nected the readings and the Gospel to never gave me any official lessons, but dinner featuring chicken marsala, wild led by Dana Hall’s own Mr. David The next performance was not read was then grilled about the role of the special bond and unique mother/son I learned by watching her. rice, roasted vegetables and a cheese- Coleman, would sing a moving from a paper or sung from the Dana the seniors in MPA and the future of relationship. Marlon Matthews and his Q: Does anybody else in your family cake dessert. The food was delicious rendition of David Frazier’s “I Need Hall Gospel Choir, rather St. Seb’s the club, “MPA’s seniors and leaders mother, Allison, delivered an incred- sing? and everyone had a great time with ible duet at the end of the Mass that left to Survive”. own Mr. Meyer Chambers, on the were awesome. Our debriefing meet- MM: My sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, their mothers and friends. The Mother/ many wiping tears from their eyes. The etc. We’re just one enormous musical Son Mass and Dinner was a great night After Dana Hall had finished their piano, and Marlon Matthews ’14, on ing on Tuesday was most inform- two talented singers sang “The Prayer” family. to reflect on all of our blessings, enjoy first song, Chinedu Okwerekwu the vocals, took the stage. Deliv- ing. They were both affirming and and after the event, I briefly spoke with Their memorable duet became a dinner with the St. Sebastian commu- ’19 and Mudia Onaiwu ’18 intro- ering a tremendous performance appropriately critical about ways to Marlon about the memorable moment popular conversation topic as the nity, and reconnect with our mothers.