This year’s theme is “Black Love.” The month kicks off on Monday, Feb. 2 in the quad at noon with a call for unity and music, and a public announcement of the events to come.
There will be a wide variety of activities. One of the first is a musical celebration recognizing Bob Marley’s birthday on Feb. 6 with a DJ at the MultiCultural Center from noon to3 p.m. The performing poet, Billy Tuggle from Chicago, will be conducting a spoken word workshop on Feb. 11.
Later, there will be a slideshow presentation given by former student Luc Lusamba titled Africa Unveiled, which showcases the different countries in Africa. Blood Sweat and Tears of Black Labor will be a presentation of research on the history of black labor.
There will also be a workshop on President Barack Obama’s diverse lineage.
As part of the celebration, plenty of soul food will be available. The annual Soul Food Dinner in the KBR is on Feb. 22, andthere will also be soul food lunches served at the J throughout the month.
And there is going to be a party as the month wraps up. The Got Roots concert will be held on Feb. 28, and will showcase traditional African dance, jazz, hip hop and more.
The celebration slides into March and winds down with a Food for Thought Fish Fry on March 2. It is intended to give people a chance to reflect on their experiences, what they learned and all they are working to achieve.
One thing many people wonder about is the name. Why isn’t it “Black History Month” as it is in much of the country?
Students adopted the name “Black Liberation Month” a few years ago to make it about more than history. They wanted to present black culture and perspectives as they exist today. “We should be making black history every month,” says student organizer Oscar Stingily.
For more information, stop by the MultiCultural Center in the Balabanis House 55 or emailmcc@humboldt.edu
Calendar Of Events
Black Liberation Month
Feb1-Mar 2
Bob Marley’s Birthday Celebration
Fri, Feb 6th noon-3pm @ MCC
Black AIDS Awareness Day
Sat, Feb 7th in FH118
Billy Tuggle: “A Hiphoppers Guide to the Galaxy”
Wed, Feb 11 4-6pm in Goodwin Forum
Voices Before Death
Thurs, Feb 12th 6pm in Goodwin Forum
Black Love
Sat, Feb 14th in Goodwin Forum
Spike Lee Film Series
Sun, Feb 15th-Sat, Feb 21st 7pm in SCIB133
Annual Soul Food Dinner
Sun, Feb 22nd 6-9pm in KBR
Afrika Unveiled Pt 1
Mon, Feb 23rd 6pm
Afrika Unveiled Pt 2
Tues, Feb 24th 6pm
The Blood, Sweat, & Tears of Black Labor
Wed, Feb 25th 5pm @ MCC
Got Roots? Performance & Celebration
Sat, Feb 28th 7:30pm @ KBR
Food for Thought Fish Fry
Mon, Mar 2 6pm @ KBR