For Black people, homecomings and tailgates are an opportunity for young and old to celebrate and create everlasting memories, regardless of their alma mater.
Homecoming season is upon us!
Whether you attended a historically black college and university or a predominantly white institution, homecomings and tailgate celebrations are some of the best times of your life.
The functions — always full of food, fun, camaraderie and family — differ significantly at HBCUs, where they come with deep-rooted traditions and promote unity and solidarity. Yet for Black people, homecomings and tailgates are an opportunity for young and older crowds from all backgrounds to celebrate and create everlasting memories – regardless of their institution of higher learning.
“I grew up following…so it was part of something I wanted to experience and something I knew from a young age in college, of fun, of family,” said Ashley Thomas, alumna of Alcorn State University. “In college…at first I was a little nervous, a little anxious because I wanted to do it like my cousins or my (older) sisters, but then I had to learn that my tailgating or my return home was about me and my time at school. So it was just time to be with my friends… to have as much fun as possible.
Economic impact
After cancellations due to COVID-19 and another year of virtual and hybrid events, September 2022 marked the return of traditional homecoming events at HBCUs. As institutions resumed in-person operations, many also raised prices, particularly those charged to merchants, to combat inflation and offset some of the losses caused by the pandemic, leading to a surge prices. an essential economic boost to their respective communities. This year will probably be no different.
Preserving traditions
Homecoming events, particularly those on HBCU campuses, have a proud history of supporting intellectual and cultural growth within the African American community. The added element of tailgates highlights tradition and heritage, making the functions essential to preserving the heritage of black culture.
Community unity
In addition to being an opportunity to return to one’s alma mater, reunion events and tailgates foster family and community bonds, providing a sense of belonging and connection to those who may have once shared the same halls of their college. For many Black people, HBCUs are more than just educational institutions; they are safe spaces that foster a sense of belonging, identity and shared history.
“As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., homecoming is a time where I can fellowship and catch up with my sisters and other chapter members,” said U of A graduate Alexandria Owens. Stephen F. Austin State of Texas. “I love going out again, like we’re back on campus, like old times.”
Best Colleges reported that members of the Divine Nine, a collective of black Greek-letter organizations, were prominent in the 1950s and 1960s. Civil rights movement. Although Stephen F. Austin is not an HBCU, Owens’ sorority experience is rooted in a rich history and tradition that continues to influence society.
Networking and mentoring
While the fun and festive aspect never stops, tailgates and reunion events also provide an invaluable opportunity for networking and mentorship. Graduates who have achieved success in various fields return to their alma maters, offering guidance and support to current students – a vital contribution to the Black community’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of CEOs, college presidents, doctors, lawyers and others.
Black Excellence
Some people think of tailgates and homecomings as days consisting of gatherings and football games. However, it is essential to recognize that these functions are an integral part of black culture.
Cultural celebrations long embraced by the African-American community magnify black excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics. From the excitement of being part of the homecoming court to participating in the halftime shows and everything in between, the gatherings showcase the hard work and continued efforts of students, faculty and alumni talented black people, all a source of inspiration for the younger generation.
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The post office For Culture: Celebrating Homecomings and Tailgates in the Black Community appeared first on LeGrio.
