Winner of Four Collegiate Excellence in Journalism Awards fromo Our college. Our news. Our voice. Naugatuck Valley Community College February 1, 2016 Waterbury, Connecticut Vol. 60, Iss. 1 one month out of the year, the rich wealth of to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often African American history is taught only briefly neglected accomplishments of black Americans Black History Month in elementary and high schools. This is a fail- in every area of endeavor throughout our Nicole Hayes ure of public institutions in their duty to edu- history.” cate students with in-depth knowledge on More recently, each Black History Month It is now February, during which we celebrate profession.” These are just two examples of African American history, particularly the is themed, with 2016’s being Hallowed Grounds: the lives of important African Americans countless African American women who have contributions of African American women. In Sites of African American Memories. This theme and their achievements throughout history. made an impact within American history. hopes of delivering on Woodson’s aspiration, it focuses on landmarks in African American According to Dr. Lean’tin Bracks, scholar of history. Whether that be Kingsley Plantation African American Literature at Nashville’s in Florida, Harlem’s 125th Street, or countless Fisk University, Black History Month started spots along the Underground Railroad, these as a weeklong celebration in 1926. The week historic sites are sacred remembrance points was chosen to correlate with the February in American Black history. birthdates of Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Connecticut is steeped in African Washington, and Frederick Douglas. During American history. Farmington, considered the this time, public schools finally began to educate Underground Railroad’s Grand Central Station, students on the true role African Americans is home to the Church of Christ, where many played in America’s history. Currently, Africans aboard the Amistad worshipped after public institutions still follow the tradition their trial in Connecticut. Harriet Beecher of teaching students on the achievements of Stowe, author of antislavery novel Uncle Tom’s African Americans. However, institutions have Cabin, was a Hartford resident; her house still failed to educate students in-depth on many of stands beside Mark Twain’s. these contributions and events, for example, The first published African American writer Juneteenth, as well as the broad achievements was from Connecticut. Jupiter Hammon, a life- of African American women. long slave, had his 88-line poem, An Evening Carver Goodwin Woodson, also known as Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries, the “Father of Modern Black History,” was an published in 1761. Hammon, who went on to important individual who aspired to educate write many works, is credited with influenc- not only society about African American his- ing antislavery protest literature in America. tory, but also younger generations of African Though many view American slavery as a Americans. His efforts led to the creation of Southern phenomenon, the shameful practice the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, founded October 2, 1915. The Carter G. Woodson, the first scholar of Association’s mission is to promote aware- ness of African American culture and history. African-American history, established Woodson also published the Journal of Negro Although Abraham Lincoln emancipated is imperative public schools educate students Negro History Week, beginning History and the Negro History Bulletin. southern slaves in 1863, Juneteenth—June 19, in-depth on the vast historical contributions February 12, 1926, to coincide with the Several important African American males, 1865—was the actual date the last slaves were and achievements of African Americans. birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King freed. According to Dr. Charles Taylor, author President Lincoln Jr., are honored in February. However, with of eight books, and a passionate advocate for the exception of Rosa Parks, and a few oth- the preservation of African American history, Honor or Insult? ers, African American women who have made Juneteenth was the day Texas received news Emily Daly was part of Waterbury life into the early 1800’s. considerable contributions to our society and that Lincoln ended slavery—this was fully Mattatuck Museum is an excellent resource to country are mostly overlooked. For example, two-and-one-half years after the Emancipation Black History Month has been contested for explore the history of Blacks in New England, a runaway slave, Harriet Jacobs, became one Proclamation. According to poet Kristina Kay, its February placement. Is Black History’s including the powerful story of Fortune, slave of the first African American women to pub- several explanations exist for Texas receiving assignment to the shortest month meant to to a prominent Waterbury physician. Read lish an autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a the late news. One version involves the mur- disparage an entire community? I never knew Fortune’s story on the Mattatuck website: http:// Slave Girl, during the 1850s. The Nation’s Wayne der of a messenger on his way to Texas. It is the reason, just accepted the idea that shortest www.fortunestory.org/slaveryinwaterbury/ Lionel Aponte called the book, still available in also possible the news was deliberately with- equals least prestigious. In the words of Carter G. Woodson, “Those reprint, “a major work in the canon of writing held by states such as Texas, where President In researching timing and reasoning, I who have no record of what their forebears by Afro-American women.” Lincoln’s authority was questioned. Regardless, could not have been more wrong. Journalist, have accomplished lose the inspiration which Additionally, Mary Mahoney was the first Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth a author, and historian, Carter G. Woodson, comes from the teaching of biography and African American woman to graduate nursing statewide holiday. the first scholar of African-American his- history.” Black History is designated to the school and vote in the state of Massachusetts. It was not until 1976 that Negro Week tory, established Negro History Week, begin- shortest month, but the reason is honorary— According to the American Nurses Association transformed into a month-long celebration, ning February 12, 1926, to coincide with the given Douglass and Lincoln’s importance to the website, the Mary Mahoney Award, estab- Black History Month, during which society birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and President anti-slavery cause—not derogatory. Hopefully, lished in 1936, “recognizes significant con- acknowledges African American contributions Lincoln. Marking its 50th anniversary, in 1976, this focus on African American accomplish- tributions, by an individual nurse or a group throughout American history. On the negative Negro History Week became Black History ment, however brief, will lead to interest of nurses, to integration within the nursing side, since the celebration is only recognized Month, when President Ford urged the public throughout the year. While not a traditional letter to editor, we’re people to wear red on February 6th to show pleased to announce Happy, Healthy Hearts support--and spread the message that heart dis- our December Recently Kayla Mueller ease is not only a man’s problem. So when you Read c o l u m n h a d think of February, remember, hearts aren’t just an impact. In that When we think of February, it’s natural to think in 2004, February has also been the signature symbols of love, but engines that keep a body feature, staff writer of paper hearts decorated with lace and glitter, month for the American Heart Association’s Go running. To keep yours running smoothly, take Nicole Hayes shared or heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. However, Red For Women Campaign. This effort urges care of your heart! her thoughts on Dick designated as American Heart Month, February Gregory’s memoir, offers a reason beyond romance to consider the Nigger. Nicole’s piece cardiac organ. The purpose of American Heart led to the work being Month is to raise awareness of heart disease. chosen for a Black Student Union book In the United States, the most common type of discussion scheduled this semester. Copies heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), will be provided, and all are welcome to join which can lead to a heart attack. in what should be a lively discussion of an Since 1963, February has been celebrated important work. For details, contact Professors as American Heart Month, urging Americans Julia Petitfrere or Elma Solomon, BSU advisors. to join the battle against heart disease. Starting on-camera reporters photo editors illustrators Join Us! We're Looking For aD sAlEs rEpS sound specialists No experience necessary!! writers eDiToRs Meetings: Monday 1 p.m., S519 // [email protected] photographersvIsUaL PUBLICISTS video producers bloggers marketers aRtIsTs 2 News The Tamarack, February 1 , 2016 decades—with or without help from Congress; SGA President Proposing Good others have called this another egregious act EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK by Mr. Obama. Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the Sense As the New Year Next Steps National Rifle Association’s Institute for Eron Ramadanov is still upon us, I’d Legislative Action, said, “The proposed exec- It is my pleasure like to welcome With a new year comes change. At the start of utive actions are ripe for abuse by the Obama to welcome back returning his final full year in office, President Barack Administration, which has made no secret of spring semester N VCC st ude nt s Obama proposed initiatives to reduce gun its contempt for the Second Amendment. The by announcing as well as first violence. Obama’s gun control proposal is NRA will continue to fight to protect the fun- NVCC has raised time students this split into two parts: actions and laws that need damental, individual Right to Keep and Bear $1,000 for Greater semester! Although congressional approval, and actions and laws Arms as guaranteed under our Constitution.” Waterbury Special Olympics.