This week, we chat with three of the principles involved in Pollard Middle School’s upcoming Global Extravaganza, an annual event showcasing the school’s social studies department and promoting culture and diversity. This year’s event will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the school at 185 Granite Mill Blvd., off U.S. Hwy. 501 west of Fearrington Village, and will feature a multi-ethnic array of desserts from various contributing restaurants across the Triangle. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Michael Charles (7th grade) and Dawn Streets (8th grade) are Social Studies instructors at Pollard Middle School and are helping plan the event. Diali Kissokho, a renowned Korist and percussionist from Senegal, will provide the entertainment. Kissokho will spend the day of the event working with some of Pollard’s students and their music teacher, Kami Keesor. The students will then participate in the evening performance. Projects from Margaret B. Pollard students thematically centered on the cultural diversity of the Pollard and Chatham County community.
Can each of you speak about the schools’ upcoming Global Extravaganza — about its purpose and objectives, and what the experience will be like?
DAWN STREETS: The Global Extravaganza got its start as a curriculum event for our Social Studies department. It provides an opportunity for students and teachers to share and showcase what Social Studies is all about. The diversity of our school and community, and the clear curriculum connections to globalism, made the idea of a World’s Fair, World Culture Night, and now “Global Extravaganza” an obvious focus.
Visitors will browse student work and cultural exhibits on display in the main gallery of the school. Student work will reflect curriculum connections to all content areas — English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Art, Music, etc.
There will be an ethnic dessert sampling for all to enjoy. Desserts are donated by or purchased from area restaurants and stores. Desserts will include baklava from the Mediterranean Deli, banana pudding from Allen & Son BBQ and Mochi balls from Akai Hana.
MICHAEL CHARLES: The goals of the Global Extravaganza are to spotlight, examine, and celebrate our community’s profusion of cultural diversity. We want this year’s event, in particular, to demonstrate each person in our community has a different “story” regarding their personal heritage, family lineage, and culture. In the end, I personally hope, that those who experience the event will find happiness in the fact that the seemingly diverse “disunity” of any community can and should actually serve as a source of unity.
DIALA KISSOKHO: For my part, I will be sharing traditional West African music and celebrating cross cultural communication and diversity through music!
Why is it important for projects to focus on cultural diversity, specifically at Margaret Pollard Middle School? And what role will students play during this event?
CHARLES: As a social studies teacher, I find value in studying global cultures in and of themselves. I don’t need an end to the means; I just enjoy it. Obviously, that response isn’t good enough for justifying why students should study and learn about various global cultures: what is the pragmatic value of it? From a civics standpoint, studying other cultures helps students understand their fellow citizens better which will hopefully breed more cooperation amongst different cultural contingents of our society. More cooperation, I think, is a keystone to constructing more compromise and therefore more meaningful legislation. From an economic perspective, I certainly think anyone who wants to open a small business should be cognizant of their communities cultural makeup and further knowing physical and cultural geography of the planet surely helps small (and large) business owners better understand the products and services they wish to sell (if I want to open a coffee shop, what countries have the climate for it, the prior infrastructure, “know-how” and capital for it?). I think these are just a few of the justifications for student projects to focus on cultural diversity, and the Global Extravaganza offers a great forum for the students to display such projects.
STREETS: Pollard’s student population represents a wide-variety of cultures. As a school that prides itself on rigor, we often get caught up in the rush to cover standards and push students through the curriculum. Asking students to engage in creative activities that require them to think beyond their own cultural experiences is relevant and valuable. Multi-cultural understanding and awareness is important to good citizenship--and, developing good citizens really is what Social Studies is about.
Diali, what can those attending the Global Extravaganza expect to hear? How can you describe — if description is possible in words — what they’ll hear from you?
KISSOKHO: I play a 21-stringed traditional West African harp called a Kora made from a large calabash gourd. The kora is a beautiful instrument with a wide range of expression — it can be peaceful and sweet but it can also groove and make you move your body! I will be playing a mix of traditional songs that are passed down through generations of kora players and songs that I have written myself about more contemporary topics. My mother, who was one of my greatest musical influences, always said that we as musicians have a great social responsibility because we have an audience, people listen to our words. I respect that position and influence and try to promote peace, unity, and positivity with the music I play. I believe that music is medicine that has the power to soothe the soul.
Diali, you were born into a rich ancestry of Manding griots. Explain what that is and what role griot musicians play in the West African culture…
KISSOKHO: My father, grandfather, great grandfather...and my mother, grandmother, great grandmother...back generations and generations on both sides of my family all of my ancestors have been musicians. To be a griot one must be born a griot, it is an inherited tradition passed down through families. A “griot” is a musician, a storyteller, a journalist of sorts. The griots in West African culture hold a great social responsibility — we gather people together, spread news, bless ceremonies, and preserve the stories of our people. Griots are called to births, marriages, ceremonies, baptisms, and community gatherings and are tasked with sharing both the news of the day and the relevant historical messages with the wider community.
So music will certainly be a part of the event — but food and more. What are you hoping those attending will walk away from the event with?
KISSOKHO: I hope that those who attend will walk away with a greater appreciation for the richness of cultural diversity, here in our local community and in the world at large.
STREETS: Our goal is bring together students, families, and community members for an evening of fun and learning. We want those attending to walk away with an excitement about what our students are doing and with a renewed appreciation for the various cultures that define us. School should be synonymous with community — in every sense of the word. And through community support and involvement, schools can better achieve the ultimate goal of inspiring students to learn, grow, and contribute.