Black History Month

By Sam Koch '11

Published: Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Updated: Friday, February 12, 2010

February is more than a month that features dead presidents, stale boxes of chocolates, and frigid temperatures. It’s also a month dedicated to exploring the important and revolutionary contributions of African-Americans in U.S. history and today.

Events at St. Joe's

African American Read-In

Location: Drexel Library
Date: Monday, Feb. 8, 2010; 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
“Join us in this national event celebrating the work of African American writers. Come and read or perform a selection from your favorite African American author, poet, playwright, or historian.” (Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Life)

Black History Month Cinema

Location: Forum Theater, Campion Student Center
Date(s): Monday, Feb. 9, “Eyes on the Prize”; Feb. 16, “Brown Sugar”;
Feb. 25--TBD (all show times beginning at 11:30 a.m.)
“Join us in this national event celebrating the work of African American writers. Come and read or perform a selection from your favorite African American author, poet, playwright, or historian.” (Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Life)

OML Open Mic Night: “The Power of the Spoken Word”

Location: The Perch
Date: Monday, Feb. 22, 2010; 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
“The event is set up in a coffee house sort of style. Students, administrators, faculty, and staff are all encouraged in a simple, show up, sign up, and get on stage format. While the bulk of the performances are spoken word, poetry, and story-telling format, musical formats may also be performed.”

OML Relief Drive for Haiti

Location: Campion 229
Date: Throughout spring semester
“The drive will run throughout the entire semester. We are accepting clothing, first aid, non-perishable items, and blankets.”

Books

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, by Frederick Douglass ($7.95 at Amazon.com).

Frederick Douglass’ classic autobiography explores the author’s childhood in slavery and his rise to adulthood. Douglass’ narrative is an important work that challenged society’s norms over a century ago and continues to influence readers today.

The Mis-Education of the Negro, by Carter G. Woodson ($35.00 at Amazon.com).

Woodson’s book examines the consequences of education and its ability to either inspire or imprison those who participate in it. Written in the 1930s, The Mis-Education of the Negro is still relevant today.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley, by Malcolm X ($7.99 at Amazon.com).

Passionate and brilliant, much like its author, The Autobiography of Malcolm X is an important and challenging book. No one talked about the difficulties and struggles of African-Americans in the 1950s and 1960s like Malcolm X, and his autobiography remains a proclamation to find the truth about society.

Films

“Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1985.” PBS documentary series.

This television series presents topics that range from the Montgomery bus boycott in 1954, to the Voting Rights Act in 1965, to the rise of “Black Power.” Produced in 1987, “Eyes on the Prize” remains fresh and relevant in 2010.

“Black in America: Parts 1 and 2,” CNN documentary series with Soledad O’Brien.

CNN’s Soledad O’Brien explores what it really means to be “Black in America.” This popular documentary series encourages dialogue on important issues and features stories from everyday Americans.

Other films to check out include "Rosewood", "Glory Road", "Pride", "The Color Purple", "Glory", "Miracle at Saint Anna", and "Do the Right Thing"