The John B. Coleman library Black History Month Committee hosted their annual program Feb. 26 in room 208 of the building.
The committee’s theme this year and for the program was ‘Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism: Harlem Renaissance.’ The guest speaker was Dr. James L. Conyers Jr, director of the African American Studies Program and professor of African-American Studies at the University of Houston.
The program began with a welcome from Dr. Rosie L. Albritton, the director of University Library Services, who gave a brief history of how Woodson came up with the notion of black history week, which eventually became Black History Month.
The welcome was given by Kimberly M. Gay, reference and instruction librarian, who mentioned that the library’s black history committee chose Conyers to speak because of the book he authored about Dr. Woodson and his extensive knowledge dealing with African American history and black studies.
Black History Month Chairman Marion Williams said Conyers was an authority in African American history, and at times students listen to what a guest speaker has to say even if it is the same as what their instructor tells them daily. “It’s good for students to know what’s being taught at other universities,” said Williams.
Conyers gave a chronological display of Woodson’s life and educational journey. He said that Woodson didn’t graduate high school until he was 20, and repeatedly had his education path interrupted, but he still finished.
“This work ethic showed Woodson’s tenacity for learning,” said Conyers on how long it took Woodson to earn his many degrees. During his lecture Conyers encouraged students to enhance their education by studying abroad. Conyers told students that when it came to education, “You are accountable for yourself and the next person behind you.” Conyers explained that the true meaning of multiculturalism is “different cultures coming together and being OK with their differences.” Conyers added that true multiculturalism was a circle and no one race was better than another.
Conyers stated that history could be explained in four general areas: history, mythology, ethos, and motif. History is whatever is written by the one experiencing it. Mythology is a version of history. An example is the stories people tell others that are true but have added folklore, like walking to class in 4 ft. snow when there was never snow at all. Ethos is the issue of collective memory. And motif leaves signs and symbols of what a person was, like how they looked, and what they did in their time here on earth.
Conyers mentioned that three key factors in black history are location, space, and place. He said, “The Harlem Renaissance was not ideal during the 1920s for Alabama, but it was correct for Harlem.” Conyers lectured about the renaissance from its literature roots with the likes of Jeane Toomer, as well as the musicians of that era like Bessie Smith and how they did these works while dealing with Jim Crowe.
After the informative lecture there was a presentation to Dr. Conyers and a brief question and answer session.