For artist Kamika Perry, Black History Month serves as a period of reflection and positive outlook. She has faced numerous uncomfortable situations where she experienced discrimination simply for being Jamaican, black, or a woman.
"Andrews University would never openly admit it, but it was (and still is) one of the most racist places I've ever been in northern Indiana... and they claim to be Christian!" Kamika remarks, "I went through a lot there—most of it leading me to see myself as not good enough."
During Black History Month, she consistently felt she received unwelcome negative attention from both staff and peers at the school, who considered the observance of this month "a waste of time".
During my four years at Andrews, I was in a delicate artistic state, and my time there significantly harmed my self-esteem and dampened my enthusiasm for pursuing art with greater passion. Hearing from my college advisor that artists don't earn a living, and being consistently overlooked—seemingly intentionally—when teachers chose which students to commend for their creativity, left me doubting my own talent.
In 2021, when Kamika truly regained her drive to create, she vowed never to look back. However, each time she picks up a brush, she hears echoes of whispers questioning her identity as an artist and suggesting she should quit—comments she frequently encountered at Andrews University.
When the chance arose to showcase her work at Cloud Walking Cafe in South Bend, IN, under the theme "Black & Beautiful," it was the first time Kamika considered that her art could be seen as beautiful. Although this might seem insignificant to others, Kamika struggled deeply with whether she truly believed this. And if she didn't, should she participate? The answer was a definitive "yes." To overcome her artistic trauma, taking the initial step against her internal doubts was always the right decision.
Each time Kamika confronts her artistic fears, she grows a bit stronger and more confident. This isn't solely due to the praise others have given her work, but also because Kamika herself has gradually begun to believe in her own talent and skills.
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