February 8, 2008

African-American history is American history, too

In 1912, a history Ph.D. scholar graduated from Harvard and couldn’t help noticing that black Americans were all but missing from history books. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, born to former slaves, decided to write black Americans into the nation's history, and established February as Negro History Week to celebrate two men who radically influenced the black American population: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Douglass was fond of saying, "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

Evergreen Valley College celebrates Black History Month with a robust offering for the entire campus community and the neighborhood at large, starting with a free gospel concert, "A Night of Inspiration,” on Thursday, Feb. 7. Events were held during the month of February.

The Black History Month events are organized by AFFIRM, Academic Force For Inspiration Retention and Matriculation, which serves African-American and other EVC students who require nurturing and support to help their chances of transfer to a baccalaureate institution.

Remaining AFFIRM events for Black History Month include:

- Tuesday, Feb. 12
EVC Campus/Library 10:00-4:00 p.m.
“Black Faces and Words: Library Open House”
Features a presentation by EVC Librarian Shelley Blackman about prominent African-American contributors to American History.

- Wednesday, Feb. 13
EVC Campus/Gullo II 12:30-1:30 p.m.
“Seeker Of A Dream” is a dramatic performance by EVC Professor and Interim Dean of Library and Learning Resources Keith Aytch and professional actor, Darrold Ross.

- Tuesday, Feb. 19
EVC Campus/AS Conference Room, 5:00 p.m.
Dr. Kevin D. Barnes, author of Successfully Raising Young Black Men, will discuss why raising positive black men is key to strengthening our neighborhoods. Book signing and discussion. For more information, please contact Joe Toves at 408-274-7900, extension 6776.

- Wednesday, Feb. 20
EVC Campus/Gullo II 12:30-1:30 p.m.
African-American poet Q. R. Hand, author of the long awaited Whose Really Blues and the co-editor of We Came to Play: Writings on Basketball, discusses writing and outstanding black Amerians. For more information, contact Sterling Warner at 408-274-7900, extension 6605.

- Wednesday, Feb. 27
EVC Campus/Gullo II 12:30-1:30 p.m.
“I Won’t Be Silent Anymore” is a dramatic, interactive performance detailing the history of the Little Rock Nine and EVC’s own Elizabeth Eckford, one of the young girls who helped desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.

- Thursday, Feb. 28
EVC Campus/Gullo II 8:00-12:00 p.m.
“Come Dance with Me: A Masquerade Ball” marks the festive closing celebration of EVC Black History Month. Students $7. Adults $10.