PHILIPSBURG – The Philipsburg Jubilee Library is celebrating Black History Month for an entire week this year in February.
Under its annual theme “Passing on our Legacy” it commenced on Saturday, February 18, and will end on Tuesday, February 28.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the public will have the opportunity to view documentaries about “The March,” a documentary about the stand that African-Americans took for human rights and economic rights. This was one of the largest political rallies ever in the history of the United States.
The library will also display “Slavery by Another Name,” a documentary that challenges the belief that slavery ended with the Civil War. All documentaries can be viewed by from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
On Saturday, February 18, a workshop on African Dance led by Rudolph Davis (dance instructor of NIA) was held for children ages 5 to 12. There will be a similar workshop on February 25, with Funtopia who will expose youngsters to modern aspects of African dance from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
Other activities that will fill the rest of the week will include the “Black Is The New Gold Show” by the Readers are Leaders platform, represented by Rotary Sunrise and the Library. This activity is driven by the youth and is geared towards teenagers. The “Black Is The New Gold Show” will take place from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, February 23.
On Friday, February 24, the public can enjoy an evening of spoken word. All poetry lovers are welcome to come out and showcase their talents. They can perform an original piece pertaining to Black History and the theme from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm.
The week will close with the screening of the documentary by Laura Bijnsdorp “Back in the Day: St. Maarten:” a documentary about the lives on St. Maarten sixty years ago. At the end of the viewing, a discussion will follow led by speakers Leonidas Friday, Chester York, and Carlson Velasquez. Their experiences will come alive from their discussion. The forefront topic of Black History will come alive in the role that St. Maarteners’ played in Black History. Participation will be encouraged from the audience. It will be an evening to remember as local heroes pass on their legacy to the next generation.
The library is always looking for new and entertaining ways to educate the public. “Passing on our legacy” is no different. “In order to create a better future we need to understand the past. This is the sole purpose of Black History Month and our activities. Support us in our purpose as we remind everyone it’s not where we came from but where we are we are going. Come one, come all to one whole week of activity from Tuesday, February 21, to Tuesday, February 28. There is an educational show for everyone and admission is free,” a release said.
