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On Friday morning, James Varner, president emeritus for the Greater Bangor Area NAACP, along with University of Maine Human Rights Coalition adviser Emily Albee, presented a list of events that are taking place on campus during Black History Month.
Varner, along with Jose Cordero, interim director of the Multicultural Center and ALANA Center at UMaine, and Gimbala Sankare, president of the Black Student Union on campus, helped coordinate the activities for this year’s Black History Month.
One of the highlights of these events, Varner said, is a speech by Paul Rusesabagin – the hero who was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the film “Hotel Rwanda” – at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 at the Maine Center for the Arts.
“We’re very honored to have Paul Rusesabagina come and speak,” Albee said. The event will be free with an opportunity to make donations toward campus sponsors.
Varner said that he is pleased that Student Government is providing some of the funds to bring certain individuals and events to campus.
The events will begin at 2 p.m. Monday with a panel discussion on the topic, “Interracial Dating on a Predominantly White Campus,” in 120 Little Hall, and end with a solidarity jazz and R&B concert featuring Jimmy “Fingers” Varner, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Hauck Auditorium.
“One of the highlights, I think – I’m a little prejudiced because it’s my son – Jimmy ‘Fingers’ is going to be coming with his band from Los Angeles, Calif., and he’s going to provide what we call the Solidarity Concert,” Varner said.
This will mark the fourth Solidarity Concert at the University of Maine, and the event will be free, although donations for survivors of Hurricane Katrina will be accepted.
“We’re hoping to get as many participants as possible,” Varner said. Varner added that he wants to reach people outside of the University of Maine as well.
“We want this to be a family affair. Not just the students on campus and the faculty, but we want you folks out there in the community to bring your youngsters and to visit the University of Maine campus during the month of February to find out why we have Black History Month.”
Varner said that Black History Month provides an outlet for people to see the contributions that the black community has made to the United States over the centuries.
“We still continue to be abused,” Varner said. “As recently as last week, an African American who was interracially married in Bangor was beaten unmercifully. I cried when I looked at him. We’re working on that case right now.”
Varner also cited an incident from September 2006 when Robert A. Dow, 59, kicked a pregnant black woman in the stomach.
“As long as we have those kinds of individuals in our community, it is necessary and it is important that we embrace Black History Month and we understand it – the total community, the black and white community – understand the importance of looking at us and other individuals as human beings.”
For more information on the Black History Month events at the University of Maine, visit www.umaine.edu/multicultural/BHM.asp.
Schedule of events:
Monday, Feb. 12
A panel discussion, “Interracial Dating on a Predominantly White Campus.” 2 p.m., 120 Little Hall. Sponsored by Multicultural Programs, Black Student Union and the College of Education & Human Development.
Sunday, Feb. 18
African Artifacts display and Black History Month discussion by James Varner and Professor Forrest Pritchett of Seton Hall University. Noon to 3 p.m., Bangor Room, Memorial Union. Sponsored by Black Student Union, UM Human Rights Coalition and Multicultural Programs.
Sunday, Feb. 18
“Hotel Rwanda,” followed by discussion. Time to be announced, DPC 100. Part of Human Rights Awareness Week 2007.
Monday, Feb. 19
Speaker Paul Rusesabagina. 7:30 p.m., Maine Center for the Arts. Sponsored by Amnesty International and part of Human Rights Awareness Week 2007.
Wednesday, Feb. 21
“Why is Black History Month Important and Who Benefits?” a Discussion with Dr. Bernice M. Brown & James Varner. 7 – 8:30 p.m., 101 Neville Hall. Sponsored by Black Student Union and UMaine Human Rights Coalition.
Wednesday, Feb. 21
“OM! A Street Corner Griot’s Comedy,” Black Theatre company. 3 p.m., 101 Neville Hall. Sponsored by Black Student Union and Multicultural Programs.
Sunday, Feb. 25
“On the Road to Glory,” Princely Players. 3 p.m. at the Maine Center for the Arts. For tickets call 581-1755. Students get in free with MaineCard.
Sunday, Feb. 25
African Themed Dinner. 6 p.m., Bodwell Lounge, Maine Center for the Arts. Tickets $50. For more information, call 581-1755.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Solidarity jazz and R&B concert featuring Jimmy “Fingers” Varner from Los Angeles, Calif. 7 p.m., Hauck Auditorium, Memorial Union. Sponsored by UM Human Rights Coalition, and WMEB. Donations will be accepted for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts.
Bangor Daily News