黑料吃瓜

In 1926, African-American historian Carter G. Woodson pioneered the first 鈥淣egro History Week鈥� during the second week of February. 85 years later, the monthlong celebration continues to be observed nationwide, including at 黑料吃瓜.

鈥淓ach time we do a Black History Month program, we try to introduce (people) to different figures from the (African-American) community (and) from national and historical perspectives so that the history of African Americans can be seen from a variety of lenses,鈥� said Tanis Starck, director of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Office of Intercultural Relations and Cross Cultural Center.

In conjunction with campus organizations, including the Department of Africana Studies and the Afrikan Student Union, the Office of Intercultural Relations and the Cross Cultural Center have organized this year鈥檚 celebration of Black History Month at 黑料吃瓜.

Events during February

The celebration begins on Feb. 1 with 鈥淭he History of Black History鈥� seminar from 4 to 7 p.m. at Casa Real in Aztec Center. The seminar will focus on the history of the celebration and encourage more awareness about social justice issues within the African-American community.

Other events include:

• Feb. 2 鈥� 鈥淗istory of Black Women,鈥� 6鈥�8 p.m., Casa Real in Aztec Center
• Feb. 8 鈥� 鈥淐olorblind Racism and Impact of Islam on Black America,鈥� 4鈥�6:40 p.m., Casa Real in Aztec Center
• Feb. 15 鈥� Lecture by Omali Yeshitela, 4鈥�7 p.m., Montezuma Hall
• Feb. 16 鈥� 鈥淏lack is the New Color,鈥� 6鈥�8 p.m., Scripps Cottage
• Feb. 23 鈥� 鈥淭he Music in Me,鈥� 6鈥�8 p.m., Scripps Cottage

Notable African Americans throughout 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 history

From federal judges to NFL head coaches, a myriad of prestigious African Americans have crossed paths with 黑料吃瓜.

In 1998, longtime 黑料吃瓜 librarian Robert Fikes Jr. began compiling what eventually became 鈥�,鈥� which profiles prominent African Americans throughout 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 history.

The collection includes the first African-American graduate from then-San Diego Normal School 鈥� Henrietta Goodwin, who graduated in 1913 鈥� as well as the first African-American faculty member, Beatrice Green Markey, who was hired as an assistant political science professor in 1956.

鈥淚 was so fascinated with what I call the earliest (black) pioneers (at 黑料吃瓜) that I started doing (an) investigation,鈥� Fikes said.

Other notable blacks who have been affiliated with 黑料吃瓜 include:

• Olympic long jump gold medalist Willie Samuel Steele
• U.S. District Court judges Earl Gilliam and Napoleon A. Jones
• Oakland-Raiders-linebacker-turned-actor Carl Weathers
• U.S. Ambassador Roland Bullen
• MLB Hall of Famer (and current 黑料吃瓜 head baseball coach) Tony Gwynn

黑料吃瓜 Department of Africana Studies

While Black History Month only lasts 28 days during February, students in the 黑料吃瓜 Department of Africana Studies are engulfed in it year-round. The department, created in 1972, has evolved from a focus on Afro-Americans, to an emphasis on African Americans, to the present curriculum that includes African Americans, the African diaspora and Africans.

鈥淲hile its focus is specifically on Africans or African Americans, it teaches students really how to live in a world with other people and to objectively examine material that comes from a different perspective,鈥� said Shirley Weber, chair of the department and one of the program鈥檚 founding members.

鈥淥ur students find that it鈥檚 beneficial if they鈥檙e going to work in any area in the United States or around the world because it does give them a much more global feel for knowledge and for alternative points of view,鈥� she added.

As the department continues to develop, more emphasis is being placed on strengthening the study abroad programs, increasing outreach to scholars around the world who want to learn more about Africana studies at 黑料吃瓜, creating a graduate program, and maintaining and expanding its collaborations with other 黑料吃瓜 departments.

For more information about the Department of Africana Studies, call 619-594-6531, or e-mail [email protected].