BYU celebrates Black History month with variety of activities

"May We Forever Stand" will be the theme of Brigham Young University's celebration of Black History Month during February. The month will be filled with lectures, musical performances and a dance to commemorate the occasion.

Events are free, unless otherwise indicated, and the public is welcome.

Thursday, Feb. 1 — The presidency of the Black Student Union will present the month's first weekly symposium at 11 a.m. in 3222 Wilkinson Student Center, titled "Perspectives and Perceptions: the Black Experience at BYU." The lectures will address topics pertinent to black history and culture.

Thursday, Feb. 8 — Christopher Crowe, a BYU professor of English, will headline the week's symposium with "The Murder of Emmett Till and the Mississippi Trial" at 11 a.m. in 3228 WSC.

Friday, Feb. 9 — Jazz, soul, blues and other music genres will be featured at "Rhythm from the Roots: A Celebration of Black Music and Poetry" from 8 to 11 p.m. in the WSC Ballroom. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased for $3 from the WSC Information Desk.

Thursday, Feb. 15 — The weekly symposium will feature Rebecca de Schweinitz, BYU professor of history, at 11 a.m. in the Varsity Theater. She will discuss "We Do Not Have a Dream, We Have a Plan: The 'Vital Role' of Children and Youth in America's Civil Rights Movement."

Saturday, Feb. 17 — The WSC Ballroom will host the annual Children's Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wilkinson Center Ballroom. Activities will include workshops for parents, games, food and arts and crafts, among others. The fair will also feature a storytelling corner highlighting African folk stories and a "hair and skin" booth, where children can have their hair braided and parents can learn about caring for textured hair. The event will be free and open to the public.

Thursday, Feb. 22 - Donald Harwell, president of the Genesis Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak on "Modern-Day Pioneers."

Friday, Feb. 23 — "Essence of Ebony" will be the topic for a discussion on women and culture from 6 to 8 p.m. in 3250 WSC. Black female BYU students and faculty are especially welcome to attend.

Thursday, March 1 — The symposium series will wrap up with a presentation by Jennifer Ritterhouse of Utah State University, who will talk about "The Etiquette of Race Relations in the Jim Crow South" at 11 a.m. in 3250 WSC.

Black History Month at BYU is sponsored by Multicultural Student Services. The department promotes awareness and appreciation for Native American, Latin American, Polynesian, African and Asian-American cultures. Through the February celebrations, Multicultural Student Services hopes to highlight local black culture, educate the community through self-expression and encourage others to reflect on their own cultures.

For more information, contact Sharyl Escobosa at (801) 422-8097.

Writer: Elizabeth Kasper

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BYU celebrates Black History month with variety of activities

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