Students adorned in oversized basketball jerseys, baggy jeans, and gold jewelry smile and laugh while songs by Kodak Black, a rapper from South Florida, play. They danced along to the music, imitating Kodak Black’s signature “Kodak Bop,” a dance he popularized in his home state. One song later, students flaunting camouflage outfits, flannel shirts, tucked in golf polo shirts, and cowboy hats began square dancing to “Your Man” by Josh Turner, a country singer.

This juxtaposition is a product of the Black Student Union’s (BSU) latest block party, which marked the end of the club’s Spirit Week on Friday, Feb. 14. The block parties, which are held monthly, each have their own theme. This month’s theme was “Florida vs. Flawda,” representing the cultural differences between North and South Florida. 

“North Florida and South Florida definitely have two different contexts to them,” BSU co-president and digital media senior Tyson Jimerson said. “We want to have fun with that rivalry and let people make their own decision about what side they want to represent and just have fun together (and) have a good time.”

The differences in culture between the two Floridian regions was a theme that continued throughout the block party, with music switching from hip-hop, rap, and rhythm and blues (R&B), to country or pop music. 

“I feel like (the block parties are) getting the culture out there,” strings sophomore Matthew Stewart said. “(Block parties allow) people to listen to music that we listen to (and) music that Black creators make (while) promoting Black excellence.”

BSU co-advisor and assistant principal Teneisha Finney said events like the block party are important for students to embrace their culture. BSU’s mission is to create “a safe space for Black students to express themselves as well as a place to educate other students on the Black experience and history.”

“I wish for every culture club here on campus that we take the time for each to really showcase their beliefs and what they stand for,” Ms. Finney said.

Block parties, which are community gatherings for those in a neighborhood to talk and celebrate, were popularized between the 1910s and 1970s during the Great Migration as more Black communities started forming in bigger cities. They grew popular among the hip-hop and jazz communities, both popularized in the Black community, according to Smithsonian Magazine. 

Jimerson said the party served as a “finale” for BSU’s Spirit Week and was an “end to a great time.” 

“I think it’s a great way for people to celebrate Black history, what we’ve done for the community, and to celebrate what we have here,” Jimerson said. “The fact that we even get our own Spirit Week is awesome, and it means a lot to have our own creative autonomy with what we want to do with it.”