Black History Month honored
With the flip of the calendar page, a new month has started and a time to commemorate achievements has begun.
This year, Multicultural Student Services has teamed up with a number of organizations to bring events on campus that will raise awareness about black history, as well as other cultures.
February has been celebrated as Black History Month since 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched the first event to bring national awareness to the contributions of black Americans throughout history, according to the History Channel Web site, www.thehistorychannel.com/blackhistory.
The Web site also stated that Woodson began the event as a weeklong celebration in February that coincided with Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays — two men who had a huge impact on the civil rights movement.
Vanessa Waserman, graduate assistant at MSS, said the organization likes to focus on holding “February events” rather than “Black History Month events” because she says the organization feels it isn’t necessary to only learn about black history in February.
Many of the events that are planned for the month focus on black history, but the organization has planned for other events with a different culture in mind, Waserman said. One of the first events that will take place on Feb. 8 is a brown bag presentation of Vietman.
All the events are inspired by community needs, and the organization is happy to collaborate with other groups to plan and execute an event.
MSS joined forces with the Black Student Association to co-sponsor the Soul Food Dinner on Feb. 27.
The organization also teamed up with Campus Attractions and the Women’s Week Committee to plan other events.
One of the main events that will take place on Feb. 8 is a film called “A Huey P. Newton Story.”
Newton was the co-founder and leader of the Black Panther movement for 20 years.
“ It (his story) is something (students) don’t learn about in history books,” Waserman said.
Following the film a discussion will follow, which is led by: David Danbom, NDSU professor of history; Paul Harris, MSUM professor of history; Thomas Jefferson, a community member; and Malika Carter, the discussion facilitator.
The second film scheduled for the month is called “Rize” and highlights a new dance genre, crumping, that takes place on the streets of Los Angeles.
Another important event is scheduled for Feb. 28 and will feature a presentation by Charles McDew. He will share stories about the civil rights movement that are not well known by the public.
Waserman said Larry Peterson, chair of the history department at NDSU, recommended McDew to MSS, and the organization found his topics and credentials important to the message that they were trying to convey.
An important event that is not taking place at NDSU will be featured just across the river.
The Hip-Hop Congress Minnesota Summit will take place Feb. 17 through 19 at Concordia College.
Waserman said this is a tri-college effort to raise awareness about hip-hop culture. It will offer workshops and a live performance by Proof of D12 and M1 of Dead Prez.
Tri-college student registration is $5 and students can register online at www.hiphopcongress.com.
Getting the word out to students is important and collaborating with another organization can assist in that effort, Waserman said.
Attendance for the events fluctuates from year to year, but Waserman remains hopeful about student participation.
Students interested in the events planned for February can find out more information by contacting Multicultural Student Services.