Today marks the 25th year America has recognized February as “Black History Month,” yet those who embrace black culture and history, such as Portland State University professor Darrell Millner, say they are still struggling to eliminate the bias and prejudice society has concerning blacks’ role in history.
“All people learn about history, whether they study it or get it from pop culture,” Millner said. “But almost all people learn a corrupted and inaccurate version of the role African-Americans play in history.”
Millner and others will be taking part in “A Celebration of African-American History” at the Eugene Public Library.
Business librarian Scott Herron said that the programs, which will be held at the library from Feb. 4 to Feb. 12, will include a musical workshop by blues musician Deb Cleveland, a speech by Millner on blacks’ role in Oregon history, a Martin Luther King Jr. exhibit and general displays profiling black history.
The University’s Black Student Union will also be hosting events in February, including the Harlem Nights Black Diamond Affair Feb. 16 and a Black Achievement Night Feb. 20, both of which are open to students. There will also possibly be a photo display, BSU resource coordinator Kim Hutchinson said.
Events, such as those put on by the Library and the University, originated because bias toward blacks emerged as a concern in the early 1900s.
One of the first people to be actively concerned with bias toward African-Americans was Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who earned a doctorate from Harvard University. Woodson started the African-American celebration in 1926.
For one week in February, a special observance was made in hopes that all Americans would be reminded of their ethnic roots and develop a mutual respect for diverse backgrounds.
During the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History expanded the celebration from one week to the entire month of February. This allowed for more programs, observances and celebrations.
Millner, a University graduate who has publicly spoken on the role of blacks in American history for 25 years since the celebration was expanded to a month-long event, said he is excited to be speaking to the Eugene crowd.
“History has been helpful to me as an individual, in helping me to come to grips with racial realities,” Millner said. “Because it’s been so helpful to me, I want to share it with others in hopes that they will be better informed.”
Millner’s speech will focus on the role of blacks during Oregon’s pioneer days and why blacks remain a minority in Oregon.
“There are many interesting racial issues that stem from the pioneer days that contribute to why there are less [people of color] in smaller areas of the state,” Miller said.
Millner also said that Black History Month is a kind of “medicine.”
“Information on black history is negatively and racially distorted,” Millner said. “This month is an antidote that can inform people on the real black history experience.”
Cleveland, who will be gearing her musical workshop at the library toward kids, said she is participating in the programs because it’s important for youth to realize the influence of black music on today’s music.
“The more kids are exposed to this kind of thing, the more knowledgeable they’ll be,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland said her performance will be interactive, with singing, hand clapping and foot stomping.
University Professor Tom Wheeler, who plays in Cleveland’s blues band, said that Black History Month is important to Eugene because of the small minority population.
“It’s also important from a parent’s perspective,” Wheeler said. “We live in a community that is overwhelmingly white, which means it’s even more important to be aware of how a diverse culture has brought about our current culture.”