Africana Studies marks 40 years with a series of programs
The Africana Studies Department of Rutgers-New Brunswick is celebrating its 40th anniversary this academic year. The recognition of Africana Studies as a discipline, and its attainment of departmental status at Rutgers and other institutions of higher education in America, is one of the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Africana Studies embraces Africa, the ancestral homeland of African peoples, the diverse cultures, deep histories and long memories of the vast African diaspora as well as the heroic struggles that bind together all who are committed to a vision of racial justice and democracy in the world.
In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of such a scholastic and historical milestone, a series of events throughout the 2009-10 academic year are scheduled.
 |
Oct. 27 - The Power of Change: 100 Years of the NAACP Benjamin Todd Jealous, 17th president and chief operating officer of the NAACP, will give a keynote address. Following Jealous' remarks, a panel will dicuss "civil rights in the age of Obama." Reception and book sale to follow. Download flyer. Rutgers Student Center at 7 p.m. |
|
 |
Nov. 4 - Fish, Grits and CousCous: Islam in the African American Experience Participants include Mikal Naeem Nash, Michael Gomez, Sylviane A. Diouf, and Donna Auston, vice president of the New Brunswick Islamic Center. Download flyer. The event will be held at the Alexander Library in the Teleconference Room at 5 p.m. |
|
 |
Nov. 17 - Ancestral Footprints, Nkrumah's Legacy D. Zizwe Poe, history professor at Lincoln University, will discuss the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana and vocal advocate of Pan-Africanism. Download flyer. Alexander Library Teleconference Room at 5 p.m. |
|
 |
Spring semester (Date TBA) - Harry Belafonte, entertainer and activist at the forefront of the 1950s and 1960s civil rights movement. | |
 |
Feb. 17 - Film on Nelson Mandela, part one Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, is known for his struggle against apartheid which led to a 27-year prison sentence. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. |
|
 |
Oct. 2010 (Exact date TBA) - Reunion Weekened A weekend of activities and programming designed for the founding faculty members, department alumni, and friends of Africana studies. Stay tuned for additional information. To participate on the program planning committee, contact Kim Butler |
|
Media Contact: Nicole Pride
732-932-7084, ext. 610
E-mail: npride@ur.rutgers.edu