Iota Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., hosted the event along with Multicultural Student Services, Black Student Union, ASWSU, Office of Equity and Diversity and many other campus organizations.
Senior criminal justice major Rosetta Adzasu said she enjoyed Harper’s advice on how to overcome certain obstacles.
“My favorite part of tonight’s presentation had to be where Hill Harper said that you had to get rid of toxic associations in order to truly be successful,” Adazsu said. “I think that is one of the main points that I am going to take out of this night.”
Senior communication major Miriam Kasaika said she was excited to hear that Harper would be paying a visit to the Pullman campus, and that she had previously read his books as well.
“I read ‘The Conversation,’ about black love, and I loved it because I think that black men are stigmatized and that there are so many stereotypes, and he kind of gives hope that there can be such a thing as working relationships between two African American partners, as opposed to you know the dead beat dad, or the always angry mom,” Kasaika said.
Kasaika said she was really excited for his presentation, and that it was humbling for him to appear on campus. She said while many of the students may be used to just seeing him on TV on “CSI: NY” or in movies, it is exciting to have a black actor that is renowned, and known across the country, come to Pullman’s small campus.
Harper not only enlightened the audience on the particular steps that it takes to be successful, but he also made the crowd laugh with his personality and various stories that connected his message throughout.
At one point during the event, Harper told a story of when he was acting out a scene on “CSI: NY.” Harper told the audience that sometimes after a scene ends involving a “dead corpse,” he is startled by the movement of that actor because the scene was so compelling and lifelike.
Harper then connected the story with his own definition of fear.
“To me fear stands for false evidence appearing real,” Harper said.
Harper ended the evening with a question and answer section followed by a book signing.
Adazsu said Harper’s presentation inspired students to achieve success.
“I think him coming here gives us hope to continue to follow our dreams and be persistent regardless of some of the obstacles that we may encounter on the road,” Adazsu said.
