Burman University celebrated the end of Black History Month on Sunday, March 1st, at the Lakeview Residence Building. It wasn’t your average celebration, but rather a gallery called ‘Black Expression,’ created to celebrate the unique and exciting proponents of black culture. 

Organizer Kailey Smith hoped to capture an easygoing atmosphere where people could learn a little bit more about black culture, art, and even hair.  

“I just wanted it to be a chill laid back experience like when you go to an art gallery type of vibe. There’s not really a program you’re just chilling, but you have a great time,” said Smith. 

At the event, three women sat with signs that either said ‘you can touch my hair,’ or ‘ you can’t touch my hair,’ giving the opportunity for some people to touch their unique tresses and ask any questions that they may have about it. 

  

 “A lot of people just go up to us and just touch our hair. Well, I don’t know if it’s a lot of people but me personally and a lot of my friends. They just touch the hair and they don’t really ask questions about it and stuff like that. So one of the things I wanted to do is make signs that say you can or you can’t and it’s up to the person who is willing to get their hair touched or not,” said Smith. 

She hoped to inspire a bit of friendly etiquette by getting people to understand that some people may not want their hair touched at all, and above all, everyone should ask for permission first before touching another person. For Smith, hair was an important aspect of the gallery. 

“I love the uniqueness of black people’s hair. I just wanted to show other people that and I feel like that’s one part of black history. It’s probably another thing that people don’t know about black people. Like they see it all the time, obviously, but they don’t really become educated about it and the differences between our hair,” explained Smith. 

In addition to displayed hair products, combs, and oils, helpful hair tips we’re given out in the event’s program along with the work of photographers who also contributed their work to the gallery. Smith wanted to celebrate their work in her gallery because she felt the photographic arts are often overlooked.  

“A lot of the time we focus on people who sing or people who draw but photographers never really have their little art shows. I just thought it’d be a cool way to show their art to the school and the community,” said Smith.  

Overall, Smith said the event went even better than expected and she was happy to be given the chance to celebrate the culture. For her, Black History month is a reason to celebrate, be proud of where she came from and a reminder that she can persevere. 

“Black History month is just a reminder: yeah, we went through all this stuff in the past, but look at us now. Look how we are dominating and look how strong we’ve become. For me, it’s just such a beautiful thing to look at even though there’s still stuff that hurts now, but it’s a reminder that it’s okay we went through this. We’ve been through worse, we can get through this again and we’re strong,” explained Smith. 

Smith says that she and her friends still experience racism in Lacombe. 

“In the past, someone had an experience where they got spit on in the city of Lacombe. That experience made me mad because I was close to the person. I wasn’t there so I couldn’t do anything. I guess it happens to people. A lot of my black male friends if they go in stores, they’re just followed and it’s not even big stuff anymore, it’s like little stuff. Another one of my friends got called the N-word and got told to go back to where he comes from. That was within the last two years in Lacombe. So, it still happens. I feel like it’s more small stuff that seems kind of irrelevant but it still impacts us as a community,” said Smith. 

She finds it difficult when those situations occur because she considers Canada and Lacombe her home and to be told otherwise is disheartening. Despite a few instances, she does believe racism in the community is slowly improving with time.