Diverse agenda celebrates Black History Month

Diverse agenda celebrates Black History Month

By Patrick Marantal

Daily Bruin Contributor

While listening to the blare of jazz music and the speeches of
guest lecturers, members of the UCLA community are reveling in a
celebration of cultural awareness presented by the African American
community.

In celebration of Black History Month, members of the African
Student Union (ASU) and staff of the Center for African-American
Studies are discussing black history through a variety of
culturally-enriching programs throughout February, organizers
said.

Founded in 1926 as Negro History Week, which 50 years later
evolved into Black History Month, the theme of this year’s
observance is "Celebrating the Diversity."

From Jan. 25 through early March, Black History Month consists
of a series of programs ranging from presentations given by faculty
to jazz workshops, said Itibari Zulu, the librarian for the Center
for African-American Studies.

"(In) ‘Celebrating the Diversity,’ the lectures by faculty of
topics that involve African Americans (show that) African Americans
are involved on every level in the entire world," said Terri-Lynn
Cross, the special projects coordinator of the Center for
African-American Studies.

Some of the center’s organizers said that instead of recalling
African American roots, the purpose of Black History Month is to
facilitate cultural awareness and understanding.

Black History Month emphasizes the contemporary aspects of
African American history both in the United States and abroad,
organizers added.

"Basically, it’s designed to deal with African American history
and culture highlight(ing) contributions to world and American
history," Zulu said.

And the variety of lecturers and topics in UCLA’s Black History
Month opens up a unique dialogue discussing different aspects of
the African American community.

"The lectures range (from) art directors speaking on urban black
America, a professor of anthropology relating his case studies (of
interaction) between African Americans and Koreans, and the dating
and marriage situations of African Americans," Cross said. "(There
is) a little bit of everything."

Others emphasize the need for this month of cultural awareness
both in and outside of the community.

"I think that (Black History Month) is very important. It gives
a chance to think about how rich and complex United States history
is," said Juan Gomez-Quinones, a professor of history and Black
History Month lecturer.

Through these presentations, organizers intend to shed new light
on trends in African American society and discuss what the
community’s future may hold.

"This is where we (the African American community) are," Zulu
said. "(And) this is where we want to go."

But the Center for African- American Studies is not the only
on-campus group gathering speakers and other presentations for
Black History Month.

The African Student Union is also hosting several different
events ranging from conferences to art exhibits to recognize
African American contributions.

The Pan African Photography exhibit by Ron Wilkin, for instance,
portrays African Americans throughout the world, organizers
said.

"ASU exists so that African American history and accomplishments
are recognized," said Jamila Gillenwaters, a junior history student
and external public relations coordinator of the group. "The
purpose of the program (is to) enlighten people to the
accomplishments of Africans."

And others maintain that Black History Month gives the African
American community on-campus a chance to celebrate its culture and
raise awareness.

"I feel that Black History Month should be yearlong. Everyday,
we’re going around campus and living in this country celebrating
other people’s culture and not really celebrating ours," said Chad
Williams, a second-year African-American Studies student and the
internal public relations coordinator of the African Student Union.
"(Black History Month) gives African Americans a time to celebrate
our culture."Comments to [email protected]