Black History Month Celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe

February is Black History Month, when we mark the achievements of African-Americans in American history. While this is an American holiday, it should be noted that through the efforts of our embassies abroad, it is celebrated around the world. These activities highlight the fact that the contributions of black people in the United States are part of the history of people of color globally.

The American Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, for instance, has planned a wide array of events for February 2010 in celebration of Black History Month, that not only honors the achievements of black people in the U.S., but connects this with other people of the world, and show how what has been achieved an ocean away is culturally and historically related to Zimbabwe and other countries.

Under the auspices of the Embassy Public Affairs Office, a local choir under the direction of the Embassy Management Counselor who is also a lay preacher and choir director, will perform a concert of gospel music for local audiences. The performance will show how the music of the black church in America has been influenced by African oral culture and traditions. It will also give audiences a great opportunity to experience the universality of music.

The Embassy is also sponsoring an essay contest for Zimbabwean high school students. Entrants will be invited to write on black history and its significance. Winners will be presented a certificate of achievement at a luncheon with the American Ambassador at his residence.

Zimbabwean TV has been asked by the public affairs officer to air an American jazz video series featuring the performances of notable black American jazz musicians like John Coltrane and Dizzie Gillespie. There will also be mobile video presentations in rural areas and provincial towns.

The American Embassy in Harare has a program of public speaking called "Food for Thought." Embassy officials and local personalities are invited to the Embassy's public library to talk on various topics. During Black History Month, there will be a series of four Food for Thought sessions focusing on black history presented by local intellectuals.

As a final event of Black History Month, the embassy will, in cooperation with the NGO Zimbabwe Journalists for Human Rights, hold a quiz show on African-American history at a local auditorium.

The embassy's American staff, who come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, will along with their Zimbabwean colleagues, participate in all of these activities.

References:

http://harare.usembassy.gov/