HBCU Freaknik: No Longer A Celebration of Pride

It's SPRING BREAK in the most densely populated collegiate area in the entire southeast region; however, Atlanta is no longer a viable destination for those looking to enjoy this much needed break from school...

It is sad... Although previous "Freaknik" celebrations have brought millions in revenue to the city of Atlanta, they will forever be looked upon as negative ventures because no legal permits or ways of tracking the positive influx of cash into the city's economy were properly filed. Instead, the Dogwood Festival (held on the same weekend) has continually benefited from the positive impact of the Freaknik spending while the largest HBCU Spring Break will only be looked upon as unwelcomed, disorganized chaos. When will the organizers learn that in order to become a welcomed attraction to the city, you must simply learn to know all the rules?

Having served on several of the city's planning committees and being a part of city council meetings and organizational plannings, the only problem the city has with "FREAKNIK" is the name.  I would like to officially toss my hat in the ring and seek out other organizers and promoters willing to lend their name to an upstanding event that the city can be proud to call an annual HBCU Spring Break.  By giving it a dignified name and a schedule of events that cater specifically to the collegiate arena, this celebration can serve as proof of the economic might of the African American dollar.

The implications of the name of the event suggests that there will be illicit behavior that the city can neither support or promote, so by changing the name to HBCU Spring Break or something that parallels other city-supported events, then there would be less opposition to the event. As you see, they have not opposed the location and planning of other large events as long as they are aware of the events in advance. This helps the city to know where they should place added security, paramedics, traffic control, etc.  Also, having major sponsorships and endorsements from Atlanta-based businesses, concerts in local parks, and events that promote the rich heritage of HBCUs would only help to make this event have a core of responsibility.

Prior planning alongside the city will also allow the city to see the profitability of the event. Requiring all vendors to purchase permits increases city revenue and creates economic influx that can be tracked and credited to the event. Planning to have a host hotel, discounts for airfare, bus fare, or AMTRAK tickets also creates a "paper trail" of economic strength. Planning to have the events in an open place with the encouragement of a controlled crowd, shows the city that you are willing to cooperate with local authorities and create an environment of harmony. Even if you have late-night concerts and unsanctioned house / hotel parties, there is still a way to do so with the city's cooperation and support.

Atlanta is more interested in knowing that this event will be profitable for its businesses and NOT create a problem for its police and fire departments. Changing the name is one way that will finally allow the city to have a positive reason to support an upwardly mobile event that brings millions of dollars into the community.  African American Heritage Festivals are held all over the United States and prove to be a great economic boost to the local economy.  If organized properly in advance, Atlanta's festival could easily prove itself to be one of the largest celebrations of pride and collegiate spirit in the southeast.  Atlanta houses Morehouse, Spelman, Clark, Morris Brown and several other historically black institutions and there is no reason why we cannot host an event worthy of national attention and applause.  We can put aside the mockery and foolishness of "Freak-nik" and begin to offer a celebration worthy of the African American heritage we so boldly celebrate.

Currently, we are hurting the probability of this event ever being accepted into the Atlanta economic formula as we continue to promote the negative stereotypes of a sub-culture  that the city cannot align itself with.  These negative promotions of half-naked women and gun-toting rap artists (YouTube, local media) breed negativity and fear into the larger communities which have voiced their opinions against the event. However; do you think it would be as easy to protest against the largest HBCU celebration in the southeast if it served a positive cause? The same activity goes on at every type of "spring break" function, but to only promote the negative is an easy way to NEVER gain support...

Other spring break activities are not historically African American and do not have restraints placed on them.  In a perfect world, neither should this one.  But the world is not perfect and underlying tones and stereotypes only ensue to overshadow the fact that our collegiate youths act no differently than other races.  In short, in order to overcompensate for social prejudices, we must strategically incorporate activities which speak to the non-racial barriers of having such an event - money. 

If you need help next year, I'm available. My magazine (http://www.PERSONAMag.com) is available. A network of positive, forward-thinking organizers are readily available. Having greater control of your event and its presentation will guarantee its return year after year.

But, then again, this is just ONE Man's Opinion... What is yours?