Friday, Feb. 6, 1998

Black history events focus on youth

Celebrations, art exhibits, play, music among events marking cultural heritage

By DEBORAH MARTIN
Staff Writer

   `Our kids don't know about black history. They were led to believe that we had nothing to do with the building of the country, and that's not so.'
   - Jewel Wilson

   For Jewel Wilson, Black History Month presents an opportunity to reach out to young African-Americans who aren't finding out about their heritage at any other time in the year.
   ``We have our youth coming back at us, saying, `We don't know what the hullabaloo is all about over Black History Month.' They didn't have to fight for anything; they had everything handed to them on a platter. They have not been taught why black history is important,'' said Wilson, who works with the Black History Cultural Committee.
   That history wasn't being taught at all before February was designated Black History Month in 1965. Thirty-three years later, it's often taught only during February, she said.
   ``Our kids don't know about black history. They were led to believe that we had nothing to do with the building of the country, and that's not so,'' Wilson said.
   Members of the cultural committee spend most of the month enlightening people at schools and community centers. This year, they've also planned a banquet for 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Holiday Inn Airport, 5549 Leopard St. The evening will include a talk by Reginald Butler, an art exhibit and a style show. Tickets cost $20, and are available from committee members or by calling 884-9674; 853-6441, 883-9438 or 851-9543.
   Other events scheduled in honor of Black History Month include:
   -- The Multicultural Center, 1581 N. Chaparral, will present An exhibit of works by black artists titled ``A Tapestry of Black Culture.'' The exhibition will open today with a reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and can be seen through Feb. 27. The reception will include live gospel and blues music, theatrical and dance performances and a fashion show. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Information: 883-0639.
   The Multicultural Center will also present a soul food cooking demonstration from 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 18. Guest chef Thomas Lusk will share his secrets for hot water cornbread, among other specialties. Those who go will be given recipes and a food sample. There is a $3 fee for the class. To register, call 883-0639.
   -- St. John Baptist Church, 5445 Greenwood Drive, will present a celebration of Black Heritage at 11 a.m. Sunday. There will be a skit, a re-creation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last sermon and an oration about black history. Admission is free. Information: 855-9351.
   -- Black History Month skits, songs and readings by the Solomon Coles Elementary School Jammin' Hornets Drill Team will be presented at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Harvin Student Center, Del Mar College East Campus. Information: 886-1281.
   -- A gospel music concert will be presented at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in Richardson Auditorium at Del Mar College. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Information: 980-1427.
   -- The South Texas Institute for the Arts will present ``The Delany Sisters: Having Our Say,'' a stage adaptation of the best-selling book. The play dramatizes the women's remembrances of their struggles and successes. Sadie Delany was the first black teacher of domestic science in New York City high schools, and Bessie Delany was one of two black women accredited to practice dentistry in New York in the 1920s.
   The performance will begin at 8 p.m. March 2 at Selena Auditorium. It will be preceded at 7:30 p.m. by a performance by the Body of Christ Youth Choir. Tickets cost $10 general admission, and $25 for reserved seating. The more expensive tickets include admission to a pre-performance reception at 6:30 p.m. at the South Texas Institute for the Arts, 1902 N. Shoreline. Call 980-3500 for more information.
   -- The John E. Connor Museum at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has two exhibits for Black History Month. ``The Road to the Promised Land: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement - Perspectives in the '90s'' is a photography exhibit. ``Like a Double-Edged Sword: The Black Civil Rights Movement in Texas'' also is a photography exhibit but is mounted in such a way as to give a holographic effect. In addition to the exhibits, a videotape about the civil rights movement in Texas will play continuously.
   To add a more local dimension to the exhibits, the museum will present a brown-bag lunch lecture about the heritage of African-Americans in Kingsville at noon Monday. Admissions is free.
   The exhibits will continue through Feb. 20. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Information: 512-593-2810.
   The Kingsville campus is also exhibiting works by black artists in the Ben P. Bailey Art Gallery. The exhibit can be seen through Feb. 20. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Information: 512-593-2619.