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In the midst of Black History Month, which has featured nearly a dozen events at the University of Maine, professor James Varner spoke Wednesday in Neville Hall on the importance of the month and those who benefit from remembrance and education about black history. Varner is the president emeritus of the Greater Bangor Area chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP], a civil rights organization for ethnic minorities in the United States.
Black History Month remains as important as ever while there are “black people still feeling inferior,” Varner said.
“We’re talking about black history, we’re having dialogue with black and white,” Varner said of the month’s significance, particularly in a predominantly white state.
According to the latest census, Maine – host to a non-minority population higher than 98 percent – is currently the whitest state in the nation. The Bangor chapter of the NAACP boasts the largest white membership in the United States, Varner stated.
Varner began his presentation with a 20-minute solo dramatization of black history, beginning in the jungles of Africa, moving through slavery and civil rights and concluding with the commemoration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a holiday. Varner changed characters and situations on the fly as he represented the scenarios with conviction and emotion that spoke multitudes to the historic eventsportrayed.
“Black History Month offers opportunities for dialogue and understanding of the different race and lifestyle,” Varner said. When asked what the most important part of the month is, Varner responded, “What is important is what we do with it.”
Black History Month began as Negro History Week in 1926, which was established by Carter G. Woodson, director of an organization known as the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
Varner, a 1957 chemistry graduate of the UMaine, recalled studying “Brotherhood Week” as one of four black students at the university. According to Varner, the black students would convene with students of Native American and white descent – along with others – for dialogue on the topics of race and equality.
Varner had with him a spread of informational posters and displays, including posters on the Harlem Renaissance, black history and African -American women in history. He also brought traditional African garments known as dashikis and kente cloths. Varner placed a heavy emphasis on the history of black people from their African origins.
“Singing is a great part of the black culture,” said Varner, who burst into deep, gospel-style singing several times throughout his speech. He sang of freedom, God and the challenges facing both slaves and modern black Americans. “It makes me appreciate what happened in the past and what we have today.”
Black History Month events have included a lecture by Dr. Marwin Spiller on W.E.B. Dubois’ “Souls of Black Folk,” a panel discussion on interracial dating at a predominantly white campus, a showing of “Hotel Rwanda” and a speech by Paul Rusesabagina, the man who inspired the film on the mid-1990s Rwandan genocide.
“He’s a brilliant guy,” Varner said of Rusesabagina. Varner attended dinner with Rusesabagina and a select few from the university community.
Varner has enjoyed the Black History Month participation at UMaine thus far and looks forward to the concert by jazz and R&B group Solidarity on Wednesday, Feb. 28, which he calls the “finale” of the month.
The event is free and will be held in Hauck Auditorium at 7 p.m. The star of Solidarity is Varner’s son, Jimmy “Fingers” Varner. The elder Varner is excited for the performance, and praised his son’s musicianship.
While Black History Month has made great strides from its beginning as just one week of the year, Varner’s sentiment remains: “I just wish that it lasted longer.”
Bangor Daily News