Daily Updates:

Reflections

Now-February 26, 2010

Seattle City Hall Galeries - 600 Fifth Avenue (5th & James) - Seattle

From the selected works of local artists Roosevelt Lewis and Marita Dingus, Reflections, honors the rich history enslaved Africans infused into America. Each piece speaks to touchstones in the journey from the Middle Passage through the Civil Rights Era, and the re-awakening of the value of women as the foundation of human society. This exhibit remains fully representative of the imagery and culture that people of African descent continue to carry forward throughout the Diaspora.
Reflections is presented by Hidden Treasures a Black art advocacy group working in collaboration with a variety of community organizations including City Light Black Employees and City of Seattle Black Caucus.
seattle.gov/blackhistory/events

Interpreting the Black Journey: Eight Viewpoints Artist

Now-April 15, 2010

Seattle Municipal Tower, Level 3 Ethnic Art Gallery

Walk the trail from Africa to North America with seven recognized contemporary Northwest Artists of African descent. This selected exhbition features engaging images of freedom, family and joy, and the struggle to regain them on two continents. The original art works incorporate a variety of styles and media, such as oils, acylics, gouache, water color and mixed media.

Each artist's style is influenced by unique cultural factors, such as Warsaw, Poland, New York City, Southern California and the Northwest; country of origin; and personal paths to overcome adversity.

The diverse experience of artists Yadisa Boija, Al Doggett, Esther Ervin, George Jennings, Donald Leonard, Fasika Moges, Sultan Mohamed, and Eddie Walker combine to create a flowing narrative of this multi-century, multi-cultural journey.

The art installation will remain open to the public until April 15, 2010.
www.seattle.gov/blackhistory

A Musical Evening with Langston Hughes

February 19, 2010

TACOMA, Wash. – A Musical Evening With Langston Hughes, featuring internationally known singer Awilda Verdejo, will be presented at University of Puget Sound on Feb. 19, giving Tacoma the rare opportunity to hear the well-loved African American writer's poems set to music by a variety of 20th-century composers. The performance, part of the university's celebration of Black History Month, will begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19, in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Ticket information www.pugetsound.edu/news-and-events/campus-news/details/455/

The Young Eight String Octet

February 20, 2010

7:30-9:30pm Seattle University - Pigott Building - Pigott Auditorium

In celebration of Black History Month, Americaâ€™s only string octet, The Young Eight, present an evening of music by African and African-American composers. Quinton Morris, artistic director/violinist.
Concert tickets: $5/$8/$12; available at the door only. www.seattleu.edu/events/detail.asp?sID=28055

Black History Month Celebration: The Myth of a Post-Racial Society

February 20, 2010

7:30 PM

During Barack Obama's campaign for president, the media promoted the idea that the U.S. had become colorblind by embracing his candidacy. But is colorblindness even a worthy or achievable goal in this country? How does the supposed "post-racial" society measure up to the reality of poor and working people's lives, 60 years after the Black civil rights movement? Join a freewheeling discussion and celebrate the ongoing struggle for "Freedom Now!"
Doors open at 6:00pm, $3 donation requested. Also at 6:00pm there will be a Louisiana Cajun-Creole Feast for a $9 donation. Work exchanges are available for students, low-income and unemployed people.
The forum will be held at New Freeway Hall, address and travel information are above.
For information contact 206-722-2453 or FSPseattle@mindspring.com. To request rides or childcare please call three days in advance.
www.socialism.com/drupal-6.8/?q=node/25#feb20event

Big list of Peace and Justice Events: http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/feb.html

Transformative Leaders: In Pursuit of Social Justice

February 25, 2010

Presented by Seattle City Light's Race & Social Justice Change Team

11:30am-1pm

Issues of race affect us all. We seek to build an inclusive coalition to eradicate institutional racism. The Honorable Judith M. Hightower will share her personal story and lead a provocative dialogue about institutionalized racism and how to achieve racial equity.
Bring your lunch and we'll provide Mama's Brown Bags' sweet potato or shoefly pie and punch! Tickets for dessert may be obtained from SCL's Visitor Center at 206-684-3261 or from SCL's RSJI Change Team Members.

Free plays in Seattle Parks

February 27, 2010

In celebration of Black History Month, the Seattle Parks and Recreation department and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center present a series of short plays about African Americans who have Seattle parks named after them.
'People in Parks:
Black Heroes and Heroines'
In celebration of Black History Month, the Seattle Parks and Recreation department and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center present a series of short plays about African Americans who have Seattle parks named after them. The approximately 30-minute plays featuring local actors will highlight the lives of those honored with performances in their parks. 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4 p.m. Feb. 27; free.
Saturday's plays:
2 p.m., Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park, 2100 S. Jackson St. Lavizzo was the first African-American woman pediatrician in Washington.
2 p.m., William Grose Park, 1814 30th Ave. Grose was a pioneer who arrived in Seattle in 1860.
4 p.m., Edwin T. Pratt Park, 1800 S. Main St. Pratt was a civil-rights leader and Seattle Urban League executive director.
4 p.m., Alvin Larkins Park, corner of East Pike Street and 34th Avenue East. Larkins was a member of the Navy's Jive Bombers band who was stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station in 1943.
For details on the Feb. 27 performances go to http://parkways.seattle.gov/tag/people-in-parks-black-heroes-and-heroines/

Amy Dixon-Kolar a Chicago-based Singer/songwriter, who has played the guitar for over 30 years, wrote this song right after the election of Barack Obama. She had been reading this quote in numerous places and knew it had to be a song.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked so Barack could run.
Barack ran, that our children could fly"

This quote has been attributed to Jay-Z who tweaked the original into a more rap-able sound bite. These now celebrated words were first uttered by Cleo Fields, former Congressman and State Senator from Louisiana, while speaking in February last year. The original version goes like this:

"W.E.B. Dubois taught so that Rosa Parks could take a seat. Rosa took a seat so we all could take a stand. We all took a stand so that Martin Luther King Jr. could march. Martin marched so Jesse Jackson could run. Jesse ran so Obama could WIN."

Inauguration: Diary of a Black Man and a Civil Rights Woman

Content provided by ColorsNW.com

The excitement of having a minority President, let alone an African-American man, filled millions of people with a type of pride on November 4, 2008, that stays with one's psyche for a lifetime. It is no wonder that millions of people made plans to travel to our nation's political Mecca to be part of the Inaugural celebrations.

The diversity of those in attendance was astonishing. Representatives from every state, culture, sex and age were there to experience the Inauguration that will mark something more powerful than a race barrier being broken. This trailblazing event represented the crossing of a symbolic finish line for justice and equality, which has been hard won with centuries of blood, sweat and tears.

The opportunity to be part of this historic moment was one that I could not pass up. A host house in Maryland was offered to me, my mother and our dear friend Paul, providing all the incentive we needed to spend four days traveling from Seattle to D.C.

Mrs. Jeannette D. Jones (Momma J) is a member of the historical Mount Zion Baptist Church. In the 1960s and 70s, she was a key activist in the Civil Rights Movement here in the Pacific NW. She is currently the House Administrator, Activities and Athletic Coordinator for Washington Middle School, where she also co-chairs the school's Equity Team, which addresses diversity and equality issues.

Mr. Paul Davis, a single father of two sons, is a product of the 60s. The Minister of Music for Kingdom Christian Center, Mr. Davis is also the founder of Human Harmony Music Academy, which dedicates their music and teaching style to uplifting people and giving hope. With a life dedicated to supporting the Black Community, this was an event he could not miss.

All three of us are excited to share our journey with you as it is an experience none of us will ever forget...

Read the whole story at ColorsNW.com

The Legend of John Brown comprises 22 narrative screenprints, created in 1977 by artist Jacob Lawrence, on the subject of abolitionist John Brown.

Acquired in 1995 by the Washington State Arts Commission for the State Art Collection, the series represents the outstanding creative gifts of the artist, as well as his important contribution to the struggle for social justice in American life. With vibrant color, narrative precision, and powerful graphic imagery, Lawrence dramatically conveys the story of John Brown in all its complexity.

By 1977, when The Legend of John Brown was printed, many American artists were re-examining historic events. The original paintings, on which these prints are based, were in fragile condition and held in storage at a museum, where they could not be widely shared. In producing this important series in print form, Lawrence was able to share his artwork and ideas about American history more widely.

The series is on display at the University of Washington's Suzzallo Library. It can be viewed there through June 25, 2013.

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