Back and Next - Back and NextUS embassy holds art exhibition
Monday, February 16, 2009
As part of activities marking the celebration of the Black History Month, the United States embassy in Banjul, last Friday held an arts exhibition at the embassy lawn along Kairaba Avenue.
The ceremony was characterised by a display of poem recitation, artistic works as well as a presentation by the Kinteh family. Speaking at the ceremony, Tashawana Bethea, the political and economic officer, US Banjul office, said traditionally, American history books did not mention prominent African- Americans, adding that African-Americans sought freedom and equality, many among them, scientists, educators and even slaves who developed the tools and processes that helped to shape the modern agricultural and technological landscape.
This, she went on, "many modern conveniences and necessities are directly related to, or derivatived of. For instance, the inventions of black inventor: blood bank, the refrigerator, the electric trolley, the dust pan, comb, mop, brush, clothes dryer, lawn mower traffic signals, the pen and pencil sharpener are all clear manifestations of their creativity. While some are famous, many remain unknown, but their contribution have assured that their stories are not only black history, but about world history," she said.
For his part, Barry Wells, the US ambassador to The Gambia, said Black History Month is an important part of the American tradition. According to him, while the ccomplishments of African-American should be celebrated all year long, February is the month they have a special focus, on their contributions to the building of United States. "Black History Month was initiated in 1926, by African-American historian, Carter G Woodson, and was originally just Black History Week. The son of former slaves, he worked in the mines and quarries of West Virginia until the age of 20. He was amazed that his fellow Negro workers had the little knowledge of the contribution those of their race had made to the building of America” he said.
The US diplomat in Banjul further revealed that, Woodson left the mine and received his high school diploma at the age of 22 and went on to get a master’s degree in history from the University of Chicago. He added that in 1912, Woodson received a doctorate in history from Harvard. "The distortion and deletion in American historical record as it pertains to race matters, Woodson believed, was detrimental to the health of the nation whose inherent promise is life, liberty and justice for all.
Perhaps more importantly, Woodson knew that in society where black’s intelligence are moral worth was incessantly demeaned and devalued. Studying black history would serve as a psychological defense shied for black students against the assaults of white supremacy. February is chosen as Black History Month because the birthdays of the esteemed black abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln fall in that month," he aid.
According to him, many African-Americans know about the history of The Gambia and have dreamed of one day being able to come home and witness part of their own history. He noted that he was being moved personally, during a trip to Juffureh and James Island. Omar Tall, the eldest grandson of Binta Kinteh, revealed that history has it that Kunta Kinteh’s foe-father, originally came form Mali to Mauritania, while others settled in The Gambia.
According to him, the fallen black hero - Kunta Kinteh, was captured as a slave at the age of 8 and was then taken to Annapolis, US and sold as a slave. Other speakers at the ceremony included, Lamin Ceesay, a historian from Juffureh. At the end of the ceremony, Nelissa Mendy, a British national read a sensational poem entitled "Part of the Journey" in observance of the month.
The ceremony was characterised by a display of poem recitation, artistic works as well as a presentation by the Kinteh family. Speaking at the ceremony, Tashawana Bethea, the political and economic officer, US Banjul office, said traditionally, American history books did not mention prominent African- Americans, adding that African-Americans sought freedom and equality, many among them, scientists, educators and even slaves who developed the tools and processes that helped to shape the modern agricultural and technological landscape.
This, she went on, "many modern conveniences and necessities are directly related to, or derivatived of. For instance, the inventions of black inventor: blood bank, the refrigerator, the electric trolley, the dust pan, comb, mop, brush, clothes dryer, lawn mower traffic signals, the pen and pencil sharpener are all clear manifestations of their creativity. While some are famous, many remain unknown, but their contribution have assured that their stories are not only black history, but about world history," she said.
For his part, Barry Wells, the US ambassador to The Gambia, said Black History Month is an important part of the American tradition. According to him, while the ccomplishments of African-American should be celebrated all year long, February is the month they have a special focus, on their contributions to the building of United States. "Black History Month was initiated in 1926, by African-American historian, Carter G Woodson, and was originally just Black History Week. The son of former slaves, he worked in the mines and quarries of West Virginia until the age of 20. He was amazed that his fellow Negro workers had the little knowledge of the contribution those of their race had made to the building of America” he said.
The US diplomat in Banjul further revealed that, Woodson left the mine and received his high school diploma at the age of 22 and went on to get a master’s degree in history from the University of Chicago. He added that in 1912, Woodson received a doctorate in history from Harvard. "The distortion and deletion in American historical record as it pertains to race matters, Woodson believed, was detrimental to the health of the nation whose inherent promise is life, liberty and justice for all.
Perhaps more importantly, Woodson knew that in society where black’s intelligence are moral worth was incessantly demeaned and devalued. Studying black history would serve as a psychological defense shied for black students against the assaults of white supremacy. February is chosen as Black History Month because the birthdays of the esteemed black abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln fall in that month," he aid.
According to him, many African-Americans know about the history of The Gambia and have dreamed of one day being able to come home and witness part of their own history. He noted that he was being moved personally, during a trip to Juffureh and James Island. Omar Tall, the eldest grandson of Binta Kinteh, revealed that history has it that Kunta Kinteh’s foe-father, originally came form Mali to Mauritania, while others settled in The Gambia.
According to him, the fallen black hero - Kunta Kinteh, was captured as a slave at the age of 8 and was then taken to Annapolis, US and sold as a slave. Other speakers at the ceremony included, Lamin Ceesay, a historian from Juffureh. At the end of the ceremony, Nelissa Mendy, a British national read a sensational poem entitled "Part of the Journey" in observance of the month.
Author: by Sheriff Janko
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