Andrews University students and staff began the month of February with the opening Black History Month events. A Thursday chapel service and other co-curricular activities were the first on the itinerary of events that the Black Student Christian Forum has scheduled all month long. On Friday, February 3, Black Student Christian Forum BSCF’s “African-American” themed IMPACT vespers service attracted students of all racial identities. Northeastern Conference of SDA minister, Pastor Edsel Cadet, an alumnus of Andrews, spoke both for Friday vespers and Sabbath service at New Life the following day. Pastor Cadet was able to weave themes of the struggles that African-Americans and others of the African diaspora have endured throughout history, with the common daily struggles of young adults of all backgrounds and how faith and trust in Christ can help turn struggles into prosperity.
During the weekend he was speaking, I was able to sit down with Pastor Cadet and hear him expand the messages of his Friday sermon and the impact Black History Month has on him personally.
What is one thing you wanted students and other listeners to learn and take from your Friday sermon?
So, I am a clinical mental health counselor as well as doctoral student in [theology], so I’m merging theology and mental health through my ministry. One of the things I find with people who experience trauma is that it forms a narrative about themselves or the world around them. The word of God has the power to give us a more accurate narrative than the trauma we experience. We often develop these rules to live by—based on the trauma that we’ve experienced—that aren’t true. Many times people go to therapy to learn that reality. In fact, in cognitive behavioral therapy, one of the things that happens is that you have to identify the core belief that is unhealthy, and then we work to replace that core belief with something that is more sound and more accurate. In theology we are taught the very same thing. We are taught to memorize these scriptures that help us understand ourselves and help to understand the world around us as well. So, I see a merger between the two. I think that when we understand that your trauma is not your truth, [we can ask] what is the truth? What is the truth about my life and the world around me? We can find these answers in the word of God and when we allow these answers to sink into our hearts, I think we find a deeper understanding in the scripture. Absorbing the word of God allows it to become part of our identity.
As a Black Andrews alumnus [as well as a graduate student], what is one impactful thing you remember and cherish from your time as a student?
I cherish DMC (Deliverance Mass Choir), New Life, IMPACT. Just seeing a concentration of Black worship [and] people who were knowledgeable about the Black experience and teaching those things, was really powerful for me. Growing up in a Caribbean context like the Northeastern Conference, I didn’t meet many African-Americans. It wasn’t until coming out here that I met people who were like, ‘No, I’m not from any island, I’m not from Africa, I’m from Virginia.’ So that was also very enriching to meet people of that heritage and to learn the history and to see how we can partner together to make progress in this country.
What or who is one of your favorite stories or figures in all of Black history?
I’m torn between Martin Luther King and George Washington Carver! I can’t choose one above the other, so for today I’ll just say George Washington Carver, just because of his ingenuity, perseverance, and creativity in the face of oppression and racism. And not only because of the things he was able to invent, but the fact that he was able to form a school and support the education of others. I really admire what he was able to do for the people with his time and with his efforts.
Students Hannah Sagini (freshman, biology) Jalen Watson (freshman, undeclared), Avery Handy (freshman, architecture), and Samuel Martin (freshman, biochemistry) were in attendance. They volunteered their time to express their opinions and thoughts on the vesper service and on Black History Month.
What was your biggest takeaway from this week’s IMPACT vespers?
Hannah Sagini: Your trauma is not your truth. Past experiences can be very influential, [and] it’s easy to forget those events were only part of your story. What someone has gone through does not define who they are or what they choose to become.
Jalen Watson: My biggest takeaway is that God sometimes takes away certain people in our lives or changes our situation for the better because at times what we have in front of us is not always the best and God at times has to remove these things for our growth and betterment.
Avery Handy: My biggest takeaway was that there is a difference between what we’ve been through, and how we interpret it. It made me sit back and reanalyze a lot of the situations I found myself in and the conclusions I drew about them. God definitely sees the whole picture.
Samuel Martin: My biggest takeaway was that you do not give pearls to pigs. In [other] words, we should not dwell among worldly negative things because they will only negatively impact us.
What or who is one of your favorite figures or stories in Black history?
HS: The March on Washington. Many people came together to protest division and racial discrimination. It’s encouraging to know people were willing to get up and do something, rather than remaining silent and accepting the reality.
JW: One of my favorite figures is [the late boxing legend and one-time Berrien Springs resident] Muhammad Ali.
AH: One of my favorite figures in Black history has been Ruby Bridges. I remember being a young Black girl in elementary school watching a documentary about her life. I was in total awe seeing a young girl like me standing up for equality with the simple but extremely dangerous act of receiving an education. It made me grateful for the education I was able to receive because of bold action like hers.
SM: I would say one of my favorite Black figures is Maya Angelou because of her great motivational speeches. I also really enjoy hearing her famous poem, “Still I Rise.”
Is there any BSCF or AU program you are looking forward to during Black History Month?
HS: I’m looking forward to the Soul Lounge. Creativity is something I enjoy, there are many ways to express it: music, spoken word, art, etc. It will be fun to enjoy other’s talents or participate while surrounded by friends.
JW: I am excited to see everything that is planned out [by BSCF this month].
AH: I’m really excited for the various IMPACTs this month and experiencing worship from across the Black diaspora. Of course, everyone can’t wait for the banquets, including myself. And that Soul Lounge evening [is] going to be amazing.
SM: I’m not really aware of any events but I am looking forward to [participating] in any of them!
Andrews students seem to be in great anticipation of these Black History Month events where BSCF and other organizations promise inspiring, educational, and entertaining events and programs all month long. For those who have not received much information on these events, check out the BSCF Instagram at (@aubscf). It will also be interesting to see how different ethnic groups that make up the African diaspora will be included and represented through these events.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.