Cultural Reclamation Project at Cape Cod Community College
by Viveca Stucke
On Saturday, November 6, Cape Cod Community College (4C’s) held a ceremony to emphasize the need for cultural reclamation. The new Equity Mural in Grossman Commons was unveiled.
“We hope this event is the beginning of an open dialogue between the Wampanoag community, Cape Verdean community, and Cape Cod Community College.” Said Nathalie Ferrier, curator of the Higgins Art Gallery, during her welcome speech for the event. The event was set on a foundation of collaboration of cultures and highlighted the unique aspects that each culture holds. This was demonstrated by the opening music, where the Mashpee River Singers played drum music and chanted, which is a custom related to their culture and tribe. The incorporation of these events emphasizes the importance of a feature of varying cultures on campus.
“We reflect on cultural reclamation, preservation, and community.” said President John Cox during his opening remarks. Cox discussed the need for recognition of how important and admired the diversity is here at 4C’s. His speech elevated topics of cultural recognition, and the need to highlight local diverse voices. This event did exactly that, and President John Cox stated that the occasion was “truly a great moment for our college.”
The unveiling of the Bartlett Award Equity Mural furthered the themes of cultural recognition through the incorporation of local speakers. Linda Coombs, a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and the Museum Educator at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, spoke at the event regarding her experience as a Native American.
“Even though we’re the indigenous people of the area and land, we’re the most invisible.” stated Coombs. She emphasized the vitality of recognition of local cultural groups. Through this process, as a college we can further our establishment of diversity, equality, and equity. Coombs discussed the historical background of the Wampanoag tribe, and how the prominence of their significance in Cape Cod history calls for a further need of acknowledgement.
“We too are relatively invisible” said Barbara Burgo on behalf of the Cape Verdean community. Burgo is the curator and clerk of the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum. She then went on to discuss the myriad of Cape Verdean individuals who are accomplished and deserve further recognition in the community. She discussed how the Cape Verdean community uplifts one another, and their actions are set on a basis of support.
These varying cultures and their need to be elevated was honored through the unveiling of the Community Healing Quilt, which displayed the work of local artists and students. The quilt is found in the Grossman Commons cafeteria, and other artwork is located in the lobby of the Tilden Arts Center.
However, the highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Bartlett Award Mural. Dr. Irving Bartlett was the founder of Cape Cod Community College, and the award is dedicated in his honor to legacy of the college. This mural was constructed by a local artist, Joe Diggs, who was a previous artist in residence at the Higgins Art Gallery. It depicts local cultures and the diversity of the local area, along with helping to highlight those aspects on campus. Nathalie Ferrier knew that this mural was a vital addition to the 4C’s campus that would be necessary to feature.
“Joe [Digs] should create a mural for the college to bring us together against racism, and to celebrate diversity” stated Ferrier, when discussing her reasonings for her support of the mural. The coloring of the mural helps to promote the different aspects of people’s personalities, and sexualities on campus. Personality and identity are significant overlooked components of diversity; ethnic backgrounds also contribute to diversity.
“American history is twisted, slanted, and changed into whatever narrative is needed at the time” Diggs said when explaining the importance of his mural. He discussed our current political culture, and how it is often portrayed as a narrative, rather than the truth. By highlighting the true histories that have taken place, society is able to progress in their journey of equality and equity.
The emphasis of these themes on campus is integral to the focus on inclusivity. Highlighting themes of cultural reclamation and recognition helps to feature the spread of diversity on campus.
To see the new Equity Mural and Community Healing Quilt, you can view them in the Grossman Commons Café, or visit the lobby of the Tilden Arts Center to see other artwork for the Community Healing Quilt.
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