The Social Justice Intercultural Center (SJIC) at Long Beach City College, which focuses on promoting equity and social justice through various programs and events, hosted an Open Mic Night to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, which was overshadowed by another event on campus LBCC After Dark which was taking place at the same time.
LBCC After Dark, was the larger and more widely attended campus activity happening at the same time, likely due to the food and accessible nature.
This left some attendees questioning the scheduling and visibility of culturally significant events on campus.
SJIC planned to host its Karaoke/Open Mic Night at LAC in B206, 2nd Floor of Building B, on November 19.
The event was intended to honor and celebrate Native American heritage by amplifying the voices of those who attend LBCC.
Meanwhile, LBCC After Dark, an event providing food, drinks, and snacks to students who leave class late or stay on campus for evening studies, collided with SJIC’s plans.
The event organizer, who declined to be interviewed, noted that this was the first time their Open Mic Night had been empty.
“I usually check Viking Engagement. The last time I checked was two days ago, and there was nothing about an open mic night,” James Trinh said.
For many students, the decision to attend events on campus often comes down to practicality, with one of the biggest deciding factors being food.
One student who attended the LBCC After Dark event said they were unaware of the Open Mic Night and would have attended if they had known about it.
Student Darcy Beery being asked about their personal opinions regarding the empty Native American open mic event taking place at the Social Justice Intercultural Center on November 23, 2024. (Regina G Melchor)
“Flyers would have been more effective and would have made me aware of the event,” Darcy Beery said.
The organizers had hoped the event would allow students to celebrate and honor Native American culture through self-expression, whether through spoken word, songs, or personal reflections.
Events like these are crucial for increasing awareness about minority groups, especially for newly enrolled LBCC students.
When asked what the organizers could have done to spread the word, another student gave their thoughts
“They should advertise their Instagram,” Parker Ellerston said.
Advertising events like these help students understand the importance of celebrating Native American culture, it promotes inclusivity within campus and gets people interested.