The Philipsburg Jubilee Library is celebrating Black History Month for an entire week this year in February. Under its annual theme “PASSING ON OUR LEGACY” it has commenced on Saturday, February 18th and will draw to a close on Tuesday, February 28th.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the general public will have the opportunity to view documentaries about “THE MARCH”: a documentary about the stand that African Americans took for human rights and economic rights. This was one of the largest political rallies ever in the history of the United States. The library will also be displaying “SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME”, a documentary that challenges the belief that slavery ended with the Civil War. All documentaries can be viewed by young adults and older, from 6pm to 8pmOn Saturday, February 18th, a workshop on African Dance led by Rudolph Davis (dance instructor of NIA) was held for children ages 5 to 12. There will be another similar workshop on February 25th with Funtopia who will expose youngsters to modern aspects of African dance; from 12pm to 1pm.
The other activities that will fill the rest of the week will include the “BLACK IS THE NEW GOLD SHOW” by the Readers are Leaders platform, represented by Rotary Sun rise and the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. This activity is driven by the youth and is geared towards their fellow teenagers. The “BLACK IS THE NEW GOLD SHOW” will take place from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday 23rd, 2017On Friday, February 24th, the public can enjoy an evening of spoken word. All poetry lovers are welcome to come out and showcase their talents. Our request is that they perform an original piece pertaining to Black History and our theme; from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm.
The week will close with the screening of the documentary by Laura Bijnsdorp “BACK IN THE DAY: SINT MAARTEN” : a documentary about the lives on Sint Maarten sixty years ago. At the end of the viewing a discussion will follow led by speakers Leonidas Friday, Chester York, and Carlson Velasquez. Their experiences will come alive from their discussion. The forefront topic of Black History will come alive in the role that St. Maarteners’ played in our version of Black History. Participation will be encouraged from the audience. It will be an evening to remember as our local heroes pass on our legacy to the next generation of people.
The Philipsburg Jubilee library is always looking for new and entertaining ways to educate the general public. “Passing on our legacy” is no different. In order to create a better future we need to understand the past. This is the sole purpose of Black History Month and our activities. Support us in our purpose as we remind everyone it’s not where we came from but where we are we are going.
Come one come all to one whole week of activity from Tuesday 21st to Tuesday 28th, there is an educational show for everyone and admission is free.
