Black History Month: Teaching Tolerance

Emporia State University’s Multicultural Programs and Services and Black Student Union (BSU) are once again providing activities to celebrate Black History Month. 

“Celebrating Black History Month is important because despite centuries of living in this land, blacks and black history still has not achieved a respectable level of study in the history books,” said Elizabeth Nelson, Multicultural Programs & Services Coordinator. 

This February marks the 81st celebration of Black History Month.  Dr. Carter G. Woodson created the first annual “Negro History Week” in 1926 during the second week of February.  February was designated this title because it coincided with the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black population; Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  Throughout time “Negro History Week” became Black History Month a now four-week-long celebration.

“February is designated as the month devoted to celebrating black history, sharing the wealth of this history with those Americans who are still in the dark about the gifts black people have given us in all areas of culture, music, food, politics, religion, sports, science, and more,” said Nelson.

For the first time BSU will be hosting a “Teaching Tolerance Film Festival” in which they will show a film every Monday night in February starting Monday , Feb.12 in the ESU Hornets Nest at 7:00 p.m.

“The movies are a way of educating the ESU community about the excellent work of the Teaching Tolerance project which is part of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s mission to fight hate and promote tolerance, especially in the schools,” said Nelson.

“College is an opportunity for students to grow mentally. They should view this month, and its activities, as an opportunity to become more aware of the culture around them,” said David Muhammad, senior, BSU Black History Month Coordinator.  “It is important to acknowledge this month, because the struggle that occurred in the past is still relevant today. If we begin to appreciate the struggle of the past, we can begin to tackle the struggles of today.”

Schedule of Events:

Thursday 2/8:

“In the Mind of a Poet” – Poetry Reading/Spoken Word

7:00 p.m., Hornets Nest

Monday 2/12:

Teaching Tolerance Film Festival: The Children’s March

7:00 p.m., Hornets Nest

Monday 2/19:

Teaching Tolerance Film Festival: A Place at the Table

7:00 p.m., Hornets Nest

Wednesday 2/21:

Lecture by Derrais Carter: “Keeping It Real: Authenticity and Hip-Hop”

7:00 p.m., Heritage Room

Monday 2/26:

Teaching Tolerance Film Festival: The Shadow of Hate

7:00 p.m., Hornets Nest

Wednesday 2/28:

“Ask a Black Dude” Panel Discussion

7:00 p.m. Kanza Room

For more information please contact Elizabeth Nelson, Multicultural Programs and Services at 620-341-5481.

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>