Black History Month kicks off Wednesday

PANAMA CITY — For the last 36 years, February has been Black History Month, and this year’s focus is Black Women in American Culture and History.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History designates the theme each year, and this year’s theme was chosen because they said “to gain an understanding of the history of African-American women is to broaden our understanding of a people and the American nation.”

Janice Lucas, literacy coach for Everitt Middle School, said she has loved history, African-American history in particular, since she was in grade school.

“The history of Africans and their descendants in the U.S. is a story that needs to be told and retold, as folks say lest we forget. I have learned about my family, my community and my country as a reader and teacher of African-American history and literature,” Lucas said.

She said teaching students about African-American literature gives them a different perspective on history and history should be studied from many perspectives.

“This community and country has become what it is because of the contribution of many different people and it’s important that we acknowledge those many different contributions,” Lucas said. “It’s important to study history from all perspectives, not just one.”

The Bay County Public library is celebrating Black History Month with art exhibits and special events, including the multimedia exhibit by local artist Carl Webb that includes African masks, watercolor and oil paintings, baskets and many other African American inspired items.

Bettina Mead, community liaison for the library, said they are displaying the exhibit because it’s important to everyone.

“Black History Month not only touches the lives of the black Americans in Panama City; it touches all of us. They have such a rich history and it’s important for all of us be aware of that,” Mead said.

Sandra Pierce, head of the children’s department, said the library’s family night program on Tuesdays will focus on black history this month. On Feb. 28, there will be a special program called “I Hear the Music.”

“It’s a celebration of the history of black music, and we will have local talent who will do demonstrations of different eras in black music history,” Pierce said. “We’re featuring children as much as we can in the program. One of the performances is from a youth choir performing slave songs.”

She added there will be a wide variety of music celebrated and more performances are being added.

“It’s important for kids and adults to remember, to acknowledge and celebrate the rich culture of the African-American community and their contributions to the building of America. Each year, we celebrate that,” Pierce said.

Additional events are expected to be announced soon.