NEWS ADVISORY – National African American History Month activities at UNK

Dr. Louishomme is an Associate Professor in the Department of Poltical Science.  Dr. Louishomme holds a Ph.D., degree in political science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis and joined UNK’s Department of Political Science in January, 2001 after eleven years of public service.

This film was produced in 1992 by Charles Guggenheim who is an Academy Award winner.  (38 minutes)

Summary:   “ A Time for Justice depicts the battle for civil rights as told by its foot soldiers.  They rode where they weren’t supposed to ride; walked where they weren’t supposed to walk; sat where they weren’t supposed to sit.  And they stood their ground until they won their freedom.  The film opens at the cemetery where Jimmie Lee Jackson is buried.  Jackson was killed by state troopers during a voting rights demonstration in Marion, Alabama.  Jimmie was a symbol of something–that guns and bullets cannot destroy ideas.” 

Charles Fort is a Professor of English and  holds the Distinguished Paul W. Reynolds and Clarice Kingston Reynolds Endowed Chair in Poetry.  Fort has published twelve books of poetry.  He has also appeared twice in The Best American Poetry, twenty-five anthologies, and won several literary awards.  

Jenny Holen
Secretary, Office of Multicultural Affairs

President George Bush Proclamation:

President George W. Bush proclaims the month of February as National African American History Month.  The full version of this proclamation can be found at the following website:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070126-4.html ?

National African American History Month, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United StatesAfrican Americans have been an integral part of America for generations, and our Nation is stronger because of their contributions. During National African American History Month, we honor the achievements of African Americans and recognize our continued responsibility to strive for equality for all our citizens.

The theme of this year’s National African American History Month, “From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas,” recalls African Americans’ long journey to justice and commemorates the courage and persistence of the heroes who called on our Nation to live up to its founding promise. A century after African American soldiers fought for their freedom on the battlefields of the Civil War, African Americans struggled peacefully for their rights in the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, and on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Courageous civil rights leaders answered hate and discrimination with love and dignity, toppled segregation laws, and worked to make America a more just and hopeful Nation.

All Americans can be proud of the progress we have made, yet the work for a more perfect union is not done. As we celebrate National African American History Month, we reaffirm our commitment to build a society where every individual has the opportunity to achieve the promise of this great land.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2007 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that honor the significant contributions African Americans have made to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH