From live gospel to a community-made mosaic, February at Binghamton University is vibrant with Black History Month activities. The dedication of the month is part of a national celebration that remembers the black heritage that blossomed as the country developed through eras of both violence and reforms.
The Multicultural Resource Center of BU (MRC) has created a series of events in remembrance of black history and what leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have done.
In accordance with King’s dream of peace and world harmony, the University will be observing “A Season of Nonviolence” from Jan. 30 to April 4. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. respectively, the movement is a national 64-day educational grassroots campaign dedicated to showing that nonviolence is the path to a stronger and more powerful community.
The University Downtown Center, will be hosting a Beloved Community concert on Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. The concert, which is based on a concept employed by King, offers a vision of what the U.S. could be if the country would embrace peace, love and respect.
The term “Beloved Community” was a phrase used by King to describe what America could be like with nonviolence and real brotherhood throughout the country.
Flutist and producer Pamela Whitman, who is internationally renowned for her style of interdisciplinary music making and peace making, will perform with the Beloved Community Gospel Choir. Coordinated by BU undergraduate Michelle Spight, the show’s musical direction will be led by BU alumna Katrina Cox.
In addition, throughout the rest of this month, there will be tabling on Thursdays in the Food Court area of the New University Union. Students will be asked to become a part of history by making a mosaic portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The mosaic will be made of posters created with many media, including chalk, pastels and crayons. The posters will be mounted onto a canvas and framed before the unveiling on April 4 at Binghamton West Middle School. The piece will then be housed in the Multicultural Resource Center in New Union, room 207.
MRC also invites students to participate in photographing their own versions of King’s Beloved Community in the Greater Binghamton area. The pictures will be turned into a PowerPoint presentation that will also be presented at the Beloved Community concert. The events are a part of April’s First Friday events and are open to everyone, free of charge. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Greater Binghamton MLK Commission project to place a King memorial statue in downtown Binghamton.
Black history month began in 1926 with the founding of Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. To commemorate the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, Woodson had decided to spread black awareness during the month of February.
For more information on the events, contact the Multicultural Resource Center at mrc@binghamton.edu or call (607) 777-4472.