African People's history month comes to State
By Elizabeth Leffall
The Collegian
Born out of the race riots and turmoil of the early 60s, Fresno State students and faculty joined forces to make sure that black history, celebrated nationally in the month of February, became recognized locally on campus. The culmination of their efforts is known as African People’s History Month.
Last Wednesday, a group gathered in the Peace Garden to attend APHM’s opening ceremonies and heard Provost Jeri Echeverria read a proclamation from President John Welty declaring February as African People’s History Month.
Among the festivities students of all races shared their thoughts on the late Coretta Scott King, wife of slain Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Francine Oputa, coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center said the highlight of the event was listening to students express their admiration for Mrs. King.
“I wiped my eyes because it was so moving to see Asians and Hispanics, all races for that matter, standing in front of the mike sharing their thoughts,” she said, “It’s not just a black thing like so many people think, it’s a people thing.”
Oputa said she could remember being a graduate student at Fresno State in the 70s and coming together with other students to participate in activities celebrating black history.
“We’ve been doing this for a long time, and it keeps getting better,” she said.
In its beginnings, the celebration at Fresno State was organized by the African Student Union and was inspired by Carter G. Woodson, a scholar who is considered by many as the father and founder of black history.
Organized in 1926, Woodson’s “Negro History Week” was celebrated during the second week of February to commemorate the birthdays of two men, Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Along with those birthdays, Woodson felt February was full of black contributions. He said six very important events in black history took place in February and the nation had to be made aware.
The first event was the birth of W. E. B. DuBois, born on Feb. 23, 1868. DuBois became an influential civil rights leader and founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
On Feb. 3, 1870 the 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote. And on Feb. 25, 1870 Hiram R. Revels became the first black senator.
On Feb. 1, 1909 a group of black college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC. This sit-in was later hailed as a milestone for the Civil Rights Movement.
And on Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X, a militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism was shot to death by three black Muslims.
Woodson and others created a national stir in 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford declared the week would become a monthlong celebration throughout February. Renamed Black History Month, Ford said the event would promote ethnic diversity and encompass all Americans.
With the help and guidance of former chair of African and American Indian Studies Robert Mikell and theatre arts professor Thomas-Whit Ellis, African People’s History Month was recognized by the university in November 1993.
Current AAIS chair Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi said the month is about raising awareness and inviting everyone to celebrate cultural differences. This year, African People’s History Month will include a Fashion Show on Feb. 10, a Step Show on Feb. 18, a United Gospel Night on Feb. 19 and the Black Student Recruitment Conference on Feb. 27.
Fresno City College is also hosting several events throughout the month commemorating the struggles of Mrs. Rosa Parks and Langston Hughes. Fresno State English professor James Walton will be a featured speaker on Feb. 8 during FCC’s lecture series entitled “Our Legacy of Literature.”
For a schedule of APHM events, call the office of Student Activities at 278-2741.
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