The Africana Studies Department and Deep Release Poetry Society held a poetry open mic at the University Center’s cypress room at 6 p.m. for the first Wednesday Wind Down on Jan. 26.

Keshawn Everett, Vice President of Deep Release Poetry Society, ran the event and even performed his own piece that showcased self-reflection. The event showcased eight students who spoke on many topics including the protest that happened earlier in the day.

Friends Shak Bradley, a freshman business administration major, Dajah Champagne, a freshman secondary education major and Mario Price, a freshman theater major collaborated to voice their feelings on the protests that happened earlier that day in front of Palms.

In response to the protest, Bradley read his piece “My Type of Day” and had to say, “and what I want you all to learn on this type of day: just be great, one bad thing does not define your whole day.”

Champagne preformed her piece “Today I Saw a Sign” taking it upon herself to apologize for those the prophets were targeting.

“Finding your business is your job to do, my business is mine to protect. If I want to lollygag in another man’s pants, who are you to object,” Price said in his piece “My Business is Mine.”

According to Price, he was walking to Palms when he saw the protests starting. After eating, he saw officers escorting the pastors and was wondering what was going on, but the officers seemed to just be moving them to give them a bigger platform.

Price and his friends couldn’t stand by, they spent around 30 minutes speaking out against the protests. They then use their voices at Wednesday Wind Down to stand up for themselves, others and their beliefs.

Five other students recited original pieces as well, speaking about love, pride in their race and obstacles that they have overcame.

According to Charity Lumpkin, the administrative assistant for the women’s and gender studies department, Africana Studies really wants to bring students together to bring more light to poetry, especially in Black culture, to allow a place for everyone’s voices.

This event is a place for people to showcase their talents, not only poetry, anything from singing and dancing, spoken word or any talent.

Lumpkin also mentioned that they decided to collaborate with Deep Release Poetry Society to spread awareness about Africana Studies. Africana studies is currently a minor that is building to become its own major.

Wednesday Wind Downs will continue to be held on the last Wednesday of the month for the rest of the semester. Contact afams@valdosta.edu for the whereabouts of future Wednesday Wind Downs and more information about the minor and upcoming events.

The organization constantly works to collaborate with other organizations to hold open mics. Anyone can join, by visiting their website https://blog.valdosta.edu/drps-vsu/about-us/  and sending an email.

Written by Angel Davis, staff reporter. Photos Courtesy of Spectator.