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By Karen Trimbath, Student Affairs Writer
A representative from the U.S. Postal Service will
unveil specially designed envelopes and cancellations that commemorate
the Paul Robeson Cultural
Center in a ceremony held on Feb. 25
at the center.
The ceremony will pay tribute
to the center’s
role in teaching and reinforcing the value of and respect for the
differing cultures
found at Penn State, according to Lawrence Young, center director.
He notes that this event also complements others scheduled for
Black History Month.
“We’re very excited about it,” notes Young. “It’s
part of a broad array of activities that showcase the role of Africans
and African Americans in American history, culture and politics.”
Black History Month, which takes place during
the month of February, focuses on the societal contributions
of Africans and African Americans.
This year’s events at Penn State include(d) educational exhibits,
films and lectures, artistic shows and fun, cultural activities.
This month's past and future events:
- Sunday and Monday, Feb. 1-2. The African American
Read-in celebrated African American literature. It included food,
music, awards and performances and prizes.
- Monday, Feb. 2. Thomas
Hale lectured on “Marriage Should
Not Mean Bondage: Women’s Songs from West Africa.”
- Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Keynote speaker Dr. Mary Frances Berry, chairwoman of the U.S.
Civil Rights Commission, discussed “Brown
vs. the Board of Education: 50 Years Later.”
- Thursday, Feb. 5. Maya
Angelou, best-selling author and poet.
- Friday, Feb. 6. Celebration
of African-American Spirituals and musical performances.
- Saturday,
Feb. 7. Celebration of African-American Spirituals, Festival
Choir of High School and Collegiate Singers at the Pasquerilla
Spiritual Center.
- Tuesday, Feb. 17. The film “Malcolm
X: Make It Plain”. The film chronicles
the life and evolution of Malcolm Little into Malcom X. It includes
rare interviews, archival footage, photographs and an original
musical score. This event commemorated the 1965 assassination
of
Malcolm X.
- Saturday,
Feb. 14. “A Touch of Africa,” an evening
of food, art, dance, music and poetry, at the Penn
Stater Conference Center. This year’s theme was “From
Africa with Love.”
- Feb.
25. Paul Robeson stamp cancellation ceremony. This event will
also include a free evening reception with food and entertainment.
Art and educational exhibits at Pattee and Paterno
Libraries include:
- "Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month," student-designed
posters, Pattee Library main exhibit area, through March 1.
- "Brown v. Board of Education: 50 Years," by
Courtney L. Young, 109 Pattee Library, through March 1.
- "Literacy, Achievement, and African-American Children's
Literature," by Melvette L. Melvin, 109 Pattee Library,
through March 1.
Established in 1972, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center provides
a variety of programs designed to reflect the cultural diversity
of the Penn State population. Included are educational speakers,
films, plays, musical presentations, and art exhibits.
Most events are free to the public. For more information
about Black History Month or these events, call the center at (814)
865-1779.
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