Friday, January 1, 2010

AfriClassical.com: 'Black History is part of the common record of humanity.'

[Anna Julia Cooper; Black Heritage USA 2009; U.S. Postal Service]

Black History & Classical Music
is a top-level page at AfriClassical.com, so it can be accessed from the navigation bar at the left of every page at the website. The page explains that Black History Month was founded in 1926 by the American historian Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950), who also founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), http://www.asalh.org/ Canada, Jamaica and the United States observe Black History Month in February.

The 2010 National Black History Theme is "The History of Black Economic Empowerment." The ASALH website explains the newest Black Heritage stamp: "During the 93rd annual ASALH convention in Birmingham, AL, a special unveiling was held to honor Anna Julia Cooper, an educator, scholar, feminist, and activist who gave voice to the African American community during the 19th and 20th centuries, from the end of slavery to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.

Black History is part of the common record of humanity. It proves that people of African heritage have made enduring contributions to society throughout history. Classical music has been enriched by such contributions as long as it has existed. The Black History & Classical Music page includes a link to a Black History Quiz comprised of 52 questions about Composers and Musicians of African Descent. The Composers page leads to 41 individual biographies of composers. The Musicians page leads to 11 profiles on conductors and instrumentalists. Over 100 sound samples can be heard on the Audio page and at the pages of individual artists.







Comment by email
This is an excellent way to begin the year. I hope that all teachers and community leaders with responsibilities for Black History Month, February, receive this information, now, in order to aid their preparation. Thank you, always. Gwendoline Y. Fortune

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