SUU Commemorates Black History Month
Published: February 06, 2014 | Read Time: 3 minutes
In 1926 Carter G. Woodson, son of a former slave and known as the “Father of Black History” started Negro History Week to focus on the countless black men and women around the world who contributed to the advancement of human civilization and Southern Utah University will continue that recognition for the month of February.
This annual event will take on the theme of Black Americans and the Media for 2014 to help students explore the role of print, electronic and social media in depicting the history, status and rights of black Americans, as explained by Earl Mulderink, professor of history and coordinator for SUU’s Black History Month.
From February 5 through February 28, films, presentations, performances and panel discussions will be offered across campus in celebration of African American culture and history.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of History, Sociology and Anthropology have coordinated their efforts with the SUU Black Student Union (BSU) to bring SUU weekly events to honor Black History Month. And according to Maurice Mapps, sophomore communication major and the BSU president, this should be more than just a month of recognizing those people who fought for civil rights.
“We shouldn’t constrain ourselves to just a month of recognizing those individuals who paved the way so that no matter our color, we can all live and learn together. We can’t forget their sacrifice because we still have a ways to go,” said Mapps.
Along with the inspiring presentation and films, the annual Step Show will take place Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium. A campus favorite, the Step Show will include step groups from Nevada and southern Utah and is sponsored by the BSU. Tickets are $3 if purchased in advance from the Centrum Ticket Office, (435) 586-77872, or $5 at the door. This is a family friendly event and children under the age of 5 are free.
The Step Show After Party will take place directly following the Step Show in the Sharwan Smith Center Ballroom at 9 p.m. Admission to the dance is free with admission to the show.
The entire schedule of all SUU’s Black History Month festivities is included on the Events Calendar. The schedule includes:
Thursday, February 6 - Film Screening
Badassss Cinema: A Bold Look at 70’s Blaxploitation Films , Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Friday, February 7 – Annual Step Show
Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11 – “Black Americans and Print Media in the Early Republic”
Presented by SUU assistant professor of history Dr. Michelle Orihel. Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 13 – Film Screening
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years, Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 18 – Film Screening
The O.J. Verdict, Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19 – Today’s Black Americans and American Media
A panel presentation by members of the Black Student Union. Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 20 – “Media Portrayals of Black Americans”
Presented by Dr. Sonya Aleman, University of Utah professor.
Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25 – “Civil Right Stories: Childhood, Brown and the American Press”
Presented by Dr. Rebecca de Schweintz, Brigham Young University professor
Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 27 – Film Screening
Let Freedom Sing: Music and Civil Rights, Centrum 227, 7 p.m.
Contact Information:
435-586-5400
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