Mocha Life 2009

Mocha Life is an event sponsored by the Black Student Union at Trinity University. Trinity University's Black Student Union celebrates African and American heritage and culture.

They encourage to follow the seven principles: Unity, Faith, Creativity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperative Economics, and Purpose. The mission of the BSU is to provide support and encouragement for its diverse members who share a common goal in the interests and concerns of the African and Black American communities. The BSU also functions to enhance and promote awareness and understanding of the history and culture of African and Black Americans, to develop life-long bonds and to help the members create an atmosphere in which they help each other to develop academically and socially within the Trinity University community. Mocha Life is a showcase and celebration of African American Arts. Mocha Life 2009 was held in Laurie Auditorium February 15th at 6:00p.m. Admission was free and open to the public, even with the first arrivals getting free t-shirts with the theme for Mocha Life 2009 on it. The theme for this year was "Walk with me..." demonstrating the uniting of a culture with other cultures as well. This was a very interesting event in that it displayed many forms of art held important and highly appreciated in the black community such from vocal performances and poetry readings to sorority and fraternity performances and tap dancing. This event welcomed outsiders to come and see what was in the core of African American arts. Not only African Americans performed either, there were a wide variety of performers such as Filipino, Caucasian, and Indian as well.

The performances by students at Trinity University included music, dance, skits, spoken word, and an art display in the front of the auditorium by professionals and Trinity students. There were also performances from groups that did not have any affiliation with Trinity except for their want to help the cause of getting the word out about African American arts and the hidden meaning behind it.

"Alysia Livingston, a Trinity sophomore, came up with the concept of Mocha Life in 2006 as a way to express African-American culture to the Trinity community and beyond. She sought to show that African-Americans are a multifaceted and extraordinarily diverse people through performances of the arts. Mocha Life, held in recognition of Black History Month, will give the audience a complete look at African-American culture through theater, poetry, dance, music, and art. "

The schedule for Mocha Life 2009 went as such:

(PS- Sorry most of the videos are sideways)

Act One:

1. Hymn of His Garment

Letisha Jackson, Ministry Leader

Calvary Baptist Church

"In the Midst of it All" by Yolanda Adams

2. Lauren Wolfson- she is a Filipino student who also happens to be my Best Friend!! :) This poem she read for Mocha Life, she also wrote and created herself. She was also involved in the Loon-E-Crew Dance.

These are the words she read/wrote/created"



"I am" Original Poem by Lauren Wolfson

"i am

a woman

with a mind and a face

i am

open, willing, and curious

give me your best shot

hurl the knowledge i lack

right at my face

and into these open arms

rub the wisdom i have yet to gain

into my skin

all over every single inch of my body

i am

impatient and waiting

to become more than this

slap some sense into me

im turning my cheek

kiss the love which i have doubted

and denied

onto my soft yet bitter lips

make me believe in the invisible

shout out the pain that engulfs this world

that smothers children and rapes women

command me to fall on my knees

and lay my head against the beaten earth

and tell me to run my hands against the dirt

where we have lived, loved, and died.

i am

alive

and i am free

as emotion holds me

she takes me in her arms
and interlocks her fingers with mine

and as i look into her eyes

she whispers that through all obstacles

everything will be alright

and that i must take pain into my hands

and grow from it.

i am

living, accepting, and growing

watch me battle all that tries to break me

and see me climb out from under all the rubble

a new me, a beautiful me

the me that i will be

and the me that

i am."

3. Trinitones

"My Girl" by The Temptations

The Trinitones is an all male a Capella group that serenades Trinity campus with weekly performances.

4. African Student Association Dance Team

University of Texas at San Antonio

"Tamale" by Lee Retinour

5. Raj Singh, Kaela Dickens

"Words" by Anthony David and India Arie

6. Reverend Mitchell

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

"I Have A Dream"

by Martin Luther King

7. Morgan Latin

"Every Little Bit Hurts" by Alicia Keys

8. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Zeta Upsilon City Wide Chapter

Act Two:

9. Loon-E-Crew Dance Team

"Everybody Nose"
By Kanye West/ N.E.R.D.

10. Acabellas

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

11. Kelly Merka Nelson

"Funk Love and J. Said Our Whole Universe is Generated by a Rhythm"

By Amiri Bataka

12. Miriam's Phophetess

Dawn Riley, Ministry Leader

New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church

"Invitation" by Byron Cage

13. Daniel Sanchez

"Our Seasons" by Cunning Lynguists

14. Liz Eder

"Everything is Everything" by Lauryn Hill

15. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter

16. Midnight Radio

"Space and Time" Original Song

17. VIP Gospel Choir

University of Texas at San Antonio

"Ride on King Jesus"

Lunar New Year

The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This year at Trinity University, the Chinese club hosted a celebratory event in honor of the New Year of the Ox. The festival for the new year traditionally begins on the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th. It does not always fall on the same day even though it is always in the month of January or February. This event is celebrated all over the world.

Legend tells of a village in China, thousands of years ago, that was ravaged by an evil monster one winter's eve. The following year the monster returned and again ravaged the village. Before it could happen a third time, the villagers devised a plan to scare the monster away. Red banners were hung everywhere; the color red has long been believed to protect against evil. Firecrackers, drums and gongs were used to create loud noises to scare the beast away. The plan worked and the celebration lasted several days during which people visited with each other, exchanged gifts, danced and ate tasty comestibles. Celebrations today are both literal and symbolic. Spring cleaning is started about a month prior to the new year and must be completed before the celebrations begin.Typically red packets called Lai See Hong Bao (or Hongbao) with money tucked inside are given out as a symbol of good luck. The amount is usually an even number as odd numbers are regarded as unlucky. Lions are considered to be good omens. The lion dance is believed to repel demons. Each lion has two dancers, one to maneuver the head, the other the back.During the New Year celebrations people do not fight or be mean to each other, as this would bring a bad, unlucky year. Everyone celebrates their birthday this day as well and turning one year older. Foods during the holiday hold symbolism as well. Typically red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate. Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune. Red dates bring the hope for prosperity, melon seeds for proliferation and lotus seeds means the family will prosper through time. Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune. Nian gao, the New Year's Cake is always served. It is believed that the higher the cake rises the better the year will be. When company stops by a "prosperity tray" is served.

At Trinity's celebration if this, all kinds of food and beverages were served and many performances, including from different cultures were performed. Gifts were given out to each person who attended including Chinese fans, bracelets, gifts packets with key chains and coins in it, along with other goodies.

1. Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Ox Performance Schedule:Gong Xi, Gong Xi- First Year Chinese Students.
2. Filipino Fan Dance;Awaiting Spring- VSA Members= Jade Martinez, Kim Pang, Carmel Tajonera, Chelsea Wagnon, Chantale Wilson, Lauren Wolfson
3. Umbrella Dance-Megan Chang, Danielle Foster, Leila Ling, Lu Song, Helen Zhang, Choreographer- Dr. Jinli He
4. Song of Love- Minh-Thi Pham
5. Green Rose Hula- Jesselyn Dizon and Brandyn Dunn
6. Will You Marry Me Today?- Raul Erazo, Leila Ling, Xin Ma, Anran Xu, Arnold Yang
7. Like Yesterday- Meerin Cho, Sunghwi Kim
8. Vietnamese Fan Dance- Vy 'Tina' Huynh, Minh-Thi Pham, Teresa Nguyen, Thuy Anh Ngo, Tiffany Pham, Jaimie Pham
9. Chinese Hip-Hop- Megan Chang, Krystal Everett, Carmel Tajonera, Lauren Wolfson
10. Lion Dancers- San Antonio Lion Dancers Association

I performed in the Hip Hop dance for the Lunar New Year and it was one of the greatest and most interesting experiences. I love learning about cultures and this was definitely a culture I knew nothing about and didn't really understand. After going through the whole process of spending time with the people and learning why they did certain things for the celebration was a great experience.

Martin Luther King,Jr. March

This is a letter I wrote to my family the day of the march. I wanted to share my experience and write down my feelings at that time so that I will always be able to look back and remember exactly how I felt and how liberating the experience was.

"Today, Monday, January 19, 2009 my friends and I woke up at 7:30 am to prepare for the biggest Martin Luther King March in San Antonio, actually the biggest in the nation. It had over 200,000 people marching, ranging from sororities to frats to churches to different unique groups. It was truly an amazing experience. It was very eye opening and intriguing. I couldn’t believe how inspiring it was. Of course there were the ignorant people carrying around Black Power signs which was truly disappointing since the march, day, and experience was supposed to be devoted and dedicated to equality and how far we have come since that era of ignorance. Through the Black Power signs, the man was just holding onto the past instead of breaking through to the future to contribute to "Change" which is what "the Dream" is all about. With so many different people from all over the nation and from all different backgrounds uniting together for this movement and to represent the future, I felt very proud to be an American and felt as if I was living up to the American Dream Dr. King dreamed about, yet never lived to see. Being there simply felt as if it were a dream. Over 200,000 people gathered on the East Side of San Antonio simply to honor the actions of the past and support change for the future. It was extremely breathtaking and the most significant moment in my life so far. I took over 230 pictures and will be sending copies to my parents and on email so hopefully I will be able to show everyone very soon. But even when I am able to download the pictures, the experience itself will never be able to be retold through pictures or words. But even as that is true, I will continue to spread the word and look forward to the future so that generations to come will never forget and can realize that it’s a lie that one person can't make a difference and impact the world. Look at Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, President-Elect Barack Obama (now President Obama!)...all taking one step at a time...beginning where the other person ended...continuing taking steps forward to make the dream become a reality. This was honestly the most inspiring moment and event I have been involved in within my lifetime so far and I cannot wait to make history in the future...because what I was involved in today, will make..No, I mean IS history in the making. And what will happen tomorrow, January 20th, 2009 at 11:30 am will forever be remembered as the moment that made history. No one thought they would see this day, especially the older generations. Seeing their shock and awe yet support and hope brings tears to my eyes and makes me proud of how far we have come as a people, even though we still have a long way to go. Although this definitely does not prove race is no longer an issue in this country, it does prove that the world has come to realize that it is time for a change, time to do more than just hope...time to take action. "He had a dream, we made it to the mountain top...Now the true journey begins.” This was a quote one of the pickets at the march, and it couldn't have been put any better. Peace, Love, and Hope."

Although I can't believe how many people went, it was more surprising how many students did not go and did not take advantage of this opportunity. But all I know is it has been one of the most invigorating experiences in my life so far, and I am very grateful to have been able to take part in this with my friends and with my fellow Trinity students.