Viking_Yearbook_91

F ebruary is Black History Month it is "a recognition of a history that has been eliminated from history books," said Regina Davis, president of the Black Cultural Affairs Board at PSU. What began as a week-long commemoration called Negro History Week in 1926 has become a month-long celebration. The roots of Black History Month are tied closely to Carter Woodson, founder of the Asso– ciation for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1915. Caner and his organization are credited with pioneering the study of black histo– ry. He was the driving force behind the creation of Negro History Week. The name was changed to Black History Week in 1972, and the wee'k was expanded to a month in 1976 by President Jimmy Carter. The initial plan was for a week in February to correspond with the birthdays of Frederick Dou– glass and Abraham Lincoln. It was meant to un– derscore the accomplishments of blacks and, in an attempt to bring blacks together under an air of unity, was "started as a self-esteem booster for blacks," said BCAB member Michele Brown. It now functions to bring blacks together so that they have something or someone to lean on, she said. At Portland State University the BCAB sponsors events that are geared to those goals. Black History Month is an attempt to provide more accurate, honest information, said Darrell Millner, chairman of PSU's black studies department. The department works with the Black Cultural Affairs Board to put together events throughout February. "PSU probably puts on the most comprehen– sive black studies in this area," he said. "We have an organization that takes on that responsibility each year." One of the events was a Black Social Network that was co-sponsored with PCC. The occasion was intended to foster closer relations between the various black communities that are develop– ing. "We want to promote networking in the com– munity," Davis said. In order for blacks to know who they are and where they come from they need to start networking. This type of activity al– so gives blacks in the community "something to lean on," Brown said. Because sections of Amercian history are left out or ignored, most Americans lack knowledge of black accomplishments, including members of the black community. Black History Month at– tempts to change this and other stereotypical views of blacks, Brown said. "Students have become complacent and don't care about other history," Brown said. Black his– tory is not meant as a separate thing but as some– thing that Americans should know about their heritage. Black history does offer for blacks a method of validating their contributions to the country, an acknowledgement that says "I am sig– nificant," she said. A tradition of the month long celebration is the gospel festival that always offers a musical fes– tival that offers everyone a glimpse at black her– itage. Another event held for Black History Month on campus was a debate that spotlighted relation– ships and views of them by black men and wom– en. Additional activities include further debates, films, cultural events and a performance next week of the play "for colored girls who have con– sidered suicide when the rainbow is enuf." • • • Barry LaValla