Not Your Typical Apologist or Reactionary Black History Month Celebration

February is Black History Month

Black History Month, a holiday founded in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week, celebrates the achievements of the black community in the history of the USA. Black History Month is still celebrated in 2005 despite the fact that the black community deals with state repression, mass incarceration, forced sterilizations and poverty on a daily basis. Black History Month continues to essentialize blackness as it is experienced in the USA.

What are you doing for the other 11 months?

Join the New College of California Community for a critical look at Black History Month.

Film Showings:
Brown Bag Lunch 1-3pm, 776 Valencia, Rm 4
“Ethnic Notions”
Marlon Riggs's groundbreaking study dissects a disturbing underside of American popular culture by revealing the deep-rooted stereotypes that have fueled prejudice against blacks.

6:30-9:30, 776 Valencia, Cultural Center
“A Huey P. Newton Story”
"A Huey P. Newton Story is an intimate portrait of Huey P. Newton, the late co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Director Spike Lee and Roger Guenveur Smith collaborate for the 7th time to bring Newton's thoughts, philosophies, history and flavor to life. Adapted from Robert Guenveur Smith's Obie Award winning off- Broadway solo performance of the same name, Spike Lee brings the play from the stage to the screen as only he could. Shot before a live audience, Spike Lee uses his signature mixture of film and archival footage, to capture Newton's "inner mind." The film is complemented by period material and original compositions from sound designer Marc Anthony Thompson, who received an Obie and Audelco Award for his work. Accompanied by an outstanding performance, starring and written by Roger Guenveur Smith, Nominated for two NAACP Image Awards and for winning the Peabody Award. This film is a piece of history that will bring the meaning to 'Without Struggle There is No Life'."