Focus EMU Online: Feature Story

A visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, lectures and performances by African-American artists, and showings of a number of African-American-themed movies pepper Eastern Michigan University's Black History Month schedule.

"It is extremely important to celebrate Black History Month to honor those Black Americans that have made rich contributions to who we are as a nation," said Kay Woodiel, EMU's interim associate director of diversity programs. "Although the government has designated February as Black History Month, in many ways the Eastern Michigan campus begins this celebration with the Martin Luther King programming. Our challenge as a campus culture is not to celebrate Black History only during February or Native Americans only in November, but to celebrate all of our heritages during the entire year."

Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to see the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Saturday, Feb. 11, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Using the Underground Railroad as a lens through which to explore a range of freedom issues, the Freedom Center offers lessons and reflections on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present and for the future. Discover the power of one voice — shared with many — by speaking out about the meaning of freedom.

Tickets are $20 for EMU students and $40 for faculty and staff. Cost includes roundtrip transportation, lunch, an admission ticket and a guided tour. A bus departs at 8 a.m. from in front of Bowen Field House and returns at 11 p.m.

You'll find yourself tapping your feet to the beat during Decadance Theatre Friday, Feb. 17, Pease Auditorium, 8 p.m. Cost is $5 for EMU students and $12 for the general public. A DJ and MC drive the beat on stage as eight aggressive hip-hop dancers "mash up" Stravinsky's classic ballet, "The Firebird." Using hip-hop's four elements, the performance creates a fantastical, urban narrative.

Imani Winds

Imani Winds comes to EMU for two days, Sunday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m., Pease Auditorium; and Monday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m., in Sponberg Theatre. The first night features a wind quartet concert exploring the links between European, African and American music traditions with this dynamic and critically acclaimed young ensemble. On Feb. 20, enjoy "The Art of the Spiritual," a lecture/demonstration examining the history of spirituals and their effect on classical, contemporary and world music. Both events are free and open to the public.

Other Black History Month activities scheduled on campus include:

Three EMU professors give an oral interpretation of African-American history during, "The Black Express," Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Multicultural Lounge, King Hall.

The film, "Panther," will be screened Thursday, Feb. 2, 3-5 p.m., Halle Library Auditorium. Spike Lee's "School Daze," will be shown that evening, 7-9 p.m., Halle Library Auditorium.

"The College Minstrel Show," a humorous look at the appearance and behavior of the black college student, is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., in the First-Year Center.

Monyee

Poet Thea Monyee presents "Mahogany Blue," Wednesday, Feb. 8, 8-9 p.m., main dining area, McKenny Union. Monyee has performed on HBO's Peabody Award-winning Def Poetry Jam series twice and on BET's "The Way We Do It." Her versatility ranges from no nonsense, relationship hangover, and bitter woman vibe to funny and revealing life testimonies.

The film, "Glory," will be screened Thursday, Feb. 9, 3-5 p.m., Halle Library Auditorium. Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," will be shown that evening, 7-9 p.m., Halle Library Auditorium.

Asante

Artist/producer Molefi K. Asante presents "500 Years Later," a film with poetic narration Thursday, Feb. 16, 5 p.m., Halle Library Auditorium.

Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, a human rights activist and auxiliary bishop of Detroit since 1968, speaks Thursday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m., Alumni Room, McKenny Union.

A Students of Color Leadership Summit is scheduled all day Saturday, Feb. 18, McKenny Union.

"The Art of the Spiritual," a lecture/demonstration examining the history of spirituals and their effect on classical, contemporary and world music, is scheduled Monday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theatre, in the Quirk Building.

Patricia Campbell, an Irish activist, will be the keynote speaker Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6-9 pm., Carillon Room, Halle Library.

A Multicultural Career Fair is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 21, noon-5 p.m., McKenny Union Ballroom. The actual fair runs 2-4 p.m., with programing (resume writing, job interview skills, dress for success, etc.) scheduled noon-2 p.m. and 4-5 p.m.

"The most exciting part of Black History Month, as well as the other heritage celebration months, is that the programming is very student driven. Diversity Programs provides amazing opportunities to EMU students for learning beyond the classroom," Woodiel said. "I have been amazed at the passion of our black students at Eastern Michigan and how that passion drives outstanding MLK and Black History programming."