The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is excited to announce
the 2011 National Black History Month Theme as “African Americans and the Civil War.”
As the Founder of Black History Month, ASALH chose this theme to honor the efforts of people of African descent to
destroy slavery and inaugurate universal freedom in the United States.
From The African American Civil War Memorial
BHM EVENTS
Events in celebration of Black History
Month at Westchester Community
College were organized by Faculty
Staff, Administrators and Students.
Special Thanks To:
Black Student Union (BSU), Student
Government Association (SGA) &
Student Affairs Office, Black History
Month Committee.
AFRICAN AMERICANS AND
THE CIVIL WAR
The United States Civil War fought
between 1861 to 1865, represents one
of the most significant watersheds in
the African American experience, as
the War brought an end to slavery in
the United States. The importance of
military service to freedom and citizenship was recognized by African
American leaders such as Frederick
Douglass very early. He like many
northern African American leaders
supported the participation of black
people especially African American
men in the War. They knew that
black participation would ensure both
the abolition of the institution of slavery, and bring African Americans
closer to American Citizenship.
Despite his ambivalence regarding
black recruitment and abolition, President Lincoln would be driven by the
end of 1862 to make the decision for
emancipation and black recruitment in
the Union Army. The Emancipation
Proclamation declared the end of slavery in ―rebel areas,‖ reflecting a major
change in the administration’s policy
regarding slavery. In addition to declaring slavery ended in rebel areas, it
also directly called for the recruitment
of African American men, and encouraged slaves to seek opportunities to
serve in the Union Army.
Army in rebellion against the Union.
By March 1865, resistance against the
recruitment of slaves in the Army of
the Confederacy had broken down and
the decision had been made to recruit
enslaved African Americans to fight
for the Confederacy Army. The war
ended before any significant numbers
of enslaved African Americans could
be used by the Confederacy to further
their independence struggles in the
war to protect slavery indefinitely in
America.
Over the course of the Civil War, both
free and enslaved blacks supported the
union in the battle to end slavery.
―… let the black man get upon his
This support was to be seen even beperson the brass letters, U.S., let him fore President Lincoln declared the
get an eagle on his button, and a mus- abolition of slavery a war goal. Like
ket on his shoulder and bullets in his
Frederick Douglass, the four million
pockets, and there is no power on
people of African descent in the
earth which can deny that he has
United States saw clearly the connecearned the right to citizenship in the
tion between the Union outcome of
United States.” Frederick Douglass
victory and the end of slavery.
In numbers nearing some 200,000,
The United States Civil War military men and women of African descent
included approximately 180,000 Afri- served as recruiters, soldiers, nurses,
can Americans in some 163 units in
and spies, and endured unequal treatthe Union Army alone. Other African
Americans served in the Union Navy. ment, massacres, and riots as they
Many other African Americans served pursued their quest for freedom and
equality. Their record of service is
unofficially in the Confederacy providing support for the Confederacy
often overlooked in the narrative of
American History and of the Civil
War. In honor of the efforts of people
of African descent to destroy slavery
and inaugurate universal freedom in
the United States, the Association for
the Study of African American Life
and History seek to encourage and
educate all Americans about the role
of African Americans in the
Civil War.
BHM COMMITTEE 2011
Tasha Maynard, Student
Nathalie Crosby, Student
Joanna Waters, Student
Adam Frank, Staff
Erika Marquez, Faculty
Cynthia Robinson, Faculty
Scorpio Rogers, Faculty
Patricia Sehulster, Faculty
Karen Vanterpool, Faculty/Librarian
Donald Whitely, Counselor
Christolyn Williams, Faculty
Special thanks to Professor Christine Timm ,
Office of Student Affairs and W.A.R.Y.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2011 EVENTS
February 1st—26th—The WCC Harold Drimmer Library display case—library 1st
floor ―African Americans and the Civil War‖. A research guide ―LibGuide‖ posted on
library homepage.
February 1st.—28th Black History Month Art Exhibit at the Warner Library.
Works by Professor Ron Brown, and Donald Whitely are included in the exhibition.
Wednesday, February 2nd
11:00-12:30
Student Center Lounge
Black History Month Kickoff Event.
DJ LIL RYE & Poetry Readings.
LUNCH PROVIDED: Event Sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU). And
W.A.R.Y.
Wednesday, February. 9th—EVENTS!!
11am—1pm.
Gateway Auditorium
The Invisible Soldiers: Unheard Voices. Film by William ―Smitty‖ Smith
National Center for Race Amity—Wheelock College Boston.
Focus on the experience of African Americans and other minorities in World War II.
Lunch and WCC Jazz Performers with Professor Serrano.
12:30 – 2:30
CL 200
Timuel Black
African American chronicles by an educator, civil rights activist, writer, community
leader, and historian.
Wednesday, February. 16th
11am-1pm
Student Center Lounge
Black Entertainers in History Game Show
Come Play this fun, interactive game show and win CASH. Hundreds of dollars will
be given away!
Focus on Raising Awareness: County Department of Health.
STD/HIV testing
Student Center
Wednesday February 16th 6pm—10pm/Academic Arts Theatre
Westchester County African American Advisory Board/Trailblazers Black History
Month Program. Invitation only event co-sponsored by BSU Club.
Thursday, February. 17th
12NOON
C-100
FOCUS ON HAITI
Haiti Panel : Nick Powers and Edna Bonhomme Panelists
Looking at Haiti a year after the earthquake. Issues of aid, reconstruction and the Haiti
economy. Scholars and experts speak about the issues.
Friday, February 18th
10 am -12:30pm
C-100
Film Screening: ASCENSION
Professor Cynthia Robinson hosts the screening of her play, and answers questions
from the audience. Lunch served at 12. Free and open to all.
Saturday February 19th
8pm—
Academic Arts Theatre
River North Chicago Dance Company
One of Chicago’s leading dance companies. This jazz based contemporary company
embodies the true flavor of America in its performances.
$20 general: $18.00 students $13.00 children under 13.
Wednesday February 23rd
11am—1pm.
Gateway Auditorium
Immigration and Business Interests in Panel presentation and reception.
Thursday February 24th
4- 6pm - Student Center Lounge
Taste of Soul: Music and Events for Evening Students. Read-Aloud and
Dinner Provided by BSU and the SGA
Monday, February 28th
12:30 – 2:30
CL 200
Robert Knight will speak about his recently produced two-hour investigative historical
documentary, “The Sweet Science of Racism in Haiti.”
Calendar and events sponsor: Black Student Union (BSU). Contact;
[email protected]
Join BSU meetings Wednesday Common Hour (12noon -1pm). Classroom 105