SU hosts events celebrating African American History Month

SU hosts events celebrating African American History MonthFebruary 11, 2003Ellen Edgertonebedgert@syr.edu

During the month of February, the Syracuse University community will observe African American History Month with a series of exhibitions and special events celebrating African American history and culture, and presentations focusing on issues of current concern.

On Feb. 5, the African American Studies Department hosted the 18th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Affairs Lecture, featuring nationally syndicated columnist and activist Julianne Malveaux. Malveaux spoke on “The Souls of Black Folk: The Economic Legacy of Dr. King.”

During Feb. 7 events marking National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), students and staff encouraged citizens to become educated about AIDS/HIV and distributed information in the Schine Student Center Atrium. This event was co-sponsored by the African American Male Congress, the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), the LGBT Resource Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Substance Abuse Prevention & Health Enhancement, the SU Health Center, and the Rebecca Lee Pre-Health Society.

Upcoming African American History Month events will include:

• Feb. 10-28:“Walking Towards Freedom: Past, Present and Future,” an exhibit of pen and ink drawings by Lt. Grant Williams of SU’s Department of Public Safety, will be on display in the Schine Student Center’s Panasci Lounge. Williams’ drawings offer perspectives on American life and history from the era of slavery to the present day.
• Feb. 14-28:“Fulfilling the Dream: African American Artists,” a selection of photography from the Light Work Collection including work by artists Lonnie Graham, Marilyn Nance, Lewis Watts and Tony Gleaton, will be on display in Panasci Lounge. The Office of Multicultural Affairs has also contributed work to this exhibition. For more information, call Light Work/Community Darkrooms at 443-2450.
• Feb. 15:The Caribbean Students Association hosts a dinner in tribute to singer Bob Marley in Goldstein Auditorium, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 16:La LUCHA, the Haitian American Students Association and the Caribbean Students Association will co-host Caribbean Expo, a celebration featuring traditional food and music from Caribbean nations, from 1-5 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium.
• Feb. 19:The NAACP presents “Blacks and Jews in Conversation,” a discussion in Maxwell Auditorium at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 20:Educator and author Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu will lecture on “Survival of the Fittest” at 6:30 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium. Kunjufu is the author of numerous books on the development of African American youth and men, most recently State of Emergency: We Must Save African American Males. His appearance is co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Cooperative Society Book Club, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
• Each Thursday during the month of February, the Black Communications Society will present films highlighting the historical and human aspects of the black experience. Scheduled films include Disappearing Acts, starring Wesley Snipes (Feb. 13); Basquiat, the story of black artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Feb. 20); and Sarafina!, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical about South African apartheid (Feb. 27). All films are free and open to the public, and will be shown at 9 p.m. in 107 Hall of Languages.

For information on other upcoming African American History Month events, visit the SU News Web site at http://sunews.syr.edu.