Students and faculty alike learned a bit about racism in an entertaining way Tuesday night when Student Activities Council presented Preacher Moss and his “Tour to End Racism.”
Moss, who said he has been doing his comedy and lecture tour for 10 years, used a combination of comedy, storytelling and lecture to please the crowd as well as educate about racism.
Moss’s lecture focused around one main point regarding racism.
“In the issue of racism we like generosity,” Moss said. “Generosity is the basis of how you confront racism.”
Moss provided an explanation of how each of his jokes and stories had a connection or some significance to racism. He said his show is about making and understanding these connections.
Junior Jenna Neuenswander said she enjoyed the performance and understood Moss’s connections.
“I think he did a good job of being funny and making us think at the same time,” Neuenswander said.
Along with balancing his jokes and lectures throughout the performance, Moss incorporated crowd interaction several times as well. He asked a few students to share their cultural backgrounds to use as examples to support his opinions about racism.
SAC Impact Coordinator Hans Broers said he thought Moss covered many issues that students are interested in hearing about. He also said he thought the event helped celebrate the diversity of the Baker campus and usher in an important month.
“We thought bringing in Moss would be a good way to celebrate and build up excitement for the beginning of black history month,” Broers said.
Broers said he was not sure about the number of people that would attend the performance but was very pleased with the turnout.
“The attendance was more than we usually get, so I was excited about that,” he said.
SAC Recreation Coordinator Ashlee Cornett said she had seen Moss perform once before during the fall and helped organize the event at Baker. She said she enjoyed Moss’s performance Tuesday night just as much as the previous time.
“He does a really good job of incorporating everyone, and I think everyone really enjoyed it,” Cornett said.
SAC President Jonathan Affalter said he also thought the event went very well.
“I think we got a good mix of people here, but I wish we could have seen more,” Affalter said. “Moss was a more laid-back speaker, and I think people actually enjoyed it.”
Senior CJ Boram was audience member who said he enjoyed the performance.
“I liked it. I learned a lot of things, and (Moss) made a lot of sense,” Boram said. “I think it was a wonderful experience, especially it being my first comedy to attend.”
For more information, go to www.preachermoss.com.