This year's celebration of Black History Month kicked off to the tune of "Don't Worry, Be Happy," with Bobby McFerrin's visit. Since then, the Office of African-American Affairs, aided by several other organizations, has orchestrated a variety of events in official recognition of black heritage.
"The theme of this year's events is Sankofa," said La Tasha Levy, interim assistant dean of the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center.
Sankofa, a mythical bird with its feet pointing forward and head pointing backward, represents the idea of learning from the past to build for the future, Levy said.
These events are important as a formal acknowledgement of black history because such credit has historically been denied and distorted, Levy added.
Levy "has been able to acquire renowned speakers, both highly respected and well known within the African-American community," said Colette Turner, the Special Collections librarian manager. "This year's events are more diverse, and there's something available just about every week."
Turner said she has received a lot of positive response to events held so far this month, as opposed to last year when "things were much more low-key."
Yesterday, the University held a speech by Colonel Charles McGee, who fought with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of black men who fought for the United States and shattered beliefs held by some Americans that blacks could not adequately serve as airmen.
The speech was sponsored by the library multi-cultural issues committee. During the speech, McGee gave a first-hand recount of segregation in the military during World War II.
Black History Month first began in the form of a proposal by Carter G. Woodson, regarded as the father of black history, to set aside a "Negro History Week."
Early observances took place during the second week of February, a period made attractive by sharing both the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Lincoln.
In 1976, the week-long celebration expanded to include the entire month of February.
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