african american history

african american history

Connecting with Black History

Connecting with Black History

, , Library Resources
Black History Month is a focused opportunity to be intentional about connecting with the African American experience and learning about the contributions of Black Americans throughout the centuries.  The IU East Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is hosting a Trivia and Treats Contest celebrating Black History Month on February 28, starting at noon, in the Multicultural Center (Hayes Hall, room 127).  The contest is open to all – students, faculty, staff, and community members.  Refreshments will be provided. Learning is its own reward, but for anyone interested in discovering a lot of fun and engaging facts about African American history that might even help win the contest, the library has plenty of resources to support you.  Books like Young, … Continued
Black Archives and Special Collections

Black Archives and Special Collections

, , Jesse Whitton, Research
Celebrate Black History Month by remembering and reflecting on the many people and groups who participated in the fight for civil rights. These Black Archives and Special Collections offer a range of materials from primary source documents to newspaper archives and podcasts. The New York Public Radio Archives & Preservation celebrates Black History Month by assembling a collection of their leading preservation work, series, and sonic artifacts focusing on African American history. Listen to opera singer Marian Anderson, who in 1955 was the First African American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House, addresses some of the prejudice and segregation she experienced. One instance that Anderson recounts is when she received the Key to the City from the Atlantic City’s … Continued
Black History at Home

Black History at Home

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
When we contemplate Black History Month, the names of historic giants come to mind – inventors and businesspeople, ministers and activists, musicians and politicians – the kind of people who redirect the flow of history and inspire millions.  The people that have the most influence, though, are often the nearest – local people who tirelessly build up their communities, mentor others, and give younger people their first role models. This local community has been fortunate to have many nearby heroes who have improved and shaped the city and county to the betterment of all.  And this has been true from the very beginning.  For example, Rev. James M. Townsend, born in 1841, became an ordained minister by the age of … Continued
Black Contemporary Science Fiction

Black Contemporary Science Fiction

, , books
In the wake of Octavia Butler’s groundbreaking work in the 1970s, including the Patternfinder series and Kindred, Black science fiction has taken on social justice, culture and history to create one of the freshest and most exciting art forms in contemporary literature.  In this blog, we’ll explore some of the biggest names in the field, covering everything from magical realism to postapocalyptic fiction. Nnedi Okorafor Dr. Okorafor was born in Cincinnati to parents of Nigerian descent,and grew up in Illinois.  Her writing career began with tragedy when an operation for scoliosis left her paralyzed from the waist down.  While recovering, a friend loaned her a copy of the Isaac Asimov classic I, Robot, which Okorafor marked up with notations in … Continued
African Heritage and Health Week features food traditions

African Heritage and Health Week features food traditions

, , , Library Resources
As Black History Month begins, African Heritage & Health Week focuses on food traditions from Africa which have enriched the world.  Championed by the nonprofit group Oldways, which educates on heritage-based diets from many world cultures, traditional African dishes and ingredients are highlighted, such as the use of millet, peanut stews, yucca root, and leafy greens.  While anyone can benefit from this cuisine, African Americans suffer disproportionately from health issues like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease which can be mitigated by a traditional diet. Oldways offers health studies, recipes, and food preparation guides on their website.  The Campus Library offers many valuable, vetted resources as well.  Several of our databases focus on African American issues, such as African-American History Online … Continued