Bloomington’s theme for this year’s Black History Month is “Reclaiming Our Time,” and IU’s is “Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Black Music and Art.”
Both IU and Bloomington have events planned nearly every day this month to celebrate.
The theme “Reclaiming Our Time” comes from a quote by California Rep. Maxine Waters, D-43rd District, said Maqubè Reese, chairwoman of the 2019 Bloomington Black History Month Committee.
Waters' words became famous when U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin repeatedly avoided her question in 2017.
“It inspires us to reflect on the ways historic wrongs are being corrected and the ways we can reclaim space in our communities,” Reese said.
IU Senior Lecturer Betty Dlamini said Black History Month can have different meanings for different people.
“To me, it’s a combination of what needs to be celebrated and what needs to be addressed,” Dlamini said. “It’s about finding a balance.”
The city kicked off Black History Month on Jan. 31 with an event at City Hall’s council chambers, which included speeches and student performances celebrating black history. Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Valeri Haughton and Dionne Danns, associate vice provost for Institutional Diversity at IU, headlined the event and discussed how they were successful in their careers.
Black History Month is a way to pay tribute to important people and events in African history and discuss progress being made, Reese said.
Dlamini said it can be difficult to progress professionally in the black community and be recognized, so commending successful individuals is important.
“I think part of celebrating Black History Month is the simple act of addressing black people who have achieved academically as a doctor or professor without any problem,” Dlamini said.
Danns said the upcoming events have different goals.
“The kickoff was a celebration and a chance to see different students perform exceptionally well,” Danns said. “In the midst of the celebration, we also discuss important issues.”
Following the kickoff event was an opening ceremony at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at IU, a documentary showing on Bloomington native Marvin Chandler at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater and a read in about African-American culture at the Neal-Marshall Center.
More events are planned nearly every day in Bloomington. Ivy Tech Community College is screening Black Panther at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Shreve Hall. State of the Black Community, where several organizations discuss issues within the black community, is at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at City Hall.
The School of Education is having a concert at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 13 where the African American Choral Ensemble will perform. A discussion is set for 5 p.m. Feb. 24 at Second Baptist Church, located at 321 North Rogers St. The keynote speaker is Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh, vice president for equity and inclusion at the University of Oregon.
At the end of the month, there is a reception at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Fairview Elementary School to announce the winners of the 2019 Black History Month essay competition.
