By Ayana Archie

The Black Monologues reigned in their seventh year on campus on Friday. Several performers, the majority women, with the exception of one, embraced the stage with a range of topics concerning the black community.

Taking place in Stamp’s Hoff Theater at 8 p.m., the show opened with freshman communications major Kayla Dubose’s “What is a N*gga?,” an exploration of the different uses and variations of the n-word, as well as the stereotypes surrounding the term.

As the event continued, performers recited their poems with passion and conviction, discussing police brutality, last year’s presidential election, environmental racism, code switching, a mother’s sacrifice for her children, the Tuskegee Airmen (also known as the Red Tails) and the symbolism of braids, among many other things.

Freshman Global International Studies major Ashley Edwards performs her piece “Corners” during Black Monologues in the Hoff Theater. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Freshman Candace Young performs at Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Breonna Massey performs her pieces “I Am Maryland” and “Black Girl Magic” during Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. Massey is a junior government and politics major with a minor in law and society and was one of three hosts of the event. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Gislaine Hoyah performs her poems “Again” and “Mourning Sickness” at Black Monologues in the Hoff theatre. Hoyah is a sophomore community health major with a minor in creative writing. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Mary Uwadineke, a senior food science major and global poverty minor, performs an untitled poem at Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Maud Acheampong, a freshman neurobiology and physiology major performs at Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. Acheampong read two poems entitled “1856” and “Crack,” the first of which tells the story of Margaret Garner from Garner’s perspective after she was captured. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Jaelen Barnett, a first years masters student of minority and urban education peforms his poems “Divine” and “November 8, 2016.” (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Freshman Tomi Ajiboye performs at Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Featured Photo Credit: Breonna Massey explains what systematic oppression is during the Q&A portion of Black Monologues in the Hoff Theatre. Massey is a junior government and politics major with a minor in law and society and was one of three hosts of the event. (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Ayana Archie is a freshman journalism major and can be reached at ayana.archie83@gmail.com.