February 11, 2013
Black History Month celebration continues at SIU
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Maggie Anderson, whose family spent a full year patronizing only black-owned stores and businesses, will discuss those experiences later this week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Anderson’s lecture, at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, is one of several events during Black History Month at SIU Carbondale. The annual celebration observes the contributions of black Americans to American history and culture.
Anderson and her husband, John, of Oak Park, pledged to patronize only black-owned stores and businesses for a full year, and enacted their pledge in 2009 full of ideals and hopes to spearhead a truly empowering local movement. Anderson’s 2012 book, “Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest To Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy,” details her family’s experiences.
Anderson’s lecture will be in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library. The lecture is free, and the public is welcome to attend.
Other speakers contributing to the month’s events include: Darryl Littleton, also known as stand-up comedian D’Militant, will discuss one of his recent publications, “Why We Laugh, the History of Black Comedy”; and motivational speaker Eric Thomas, author of “Secret to Success.” Littleton’s presentation is at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20; Thomas will be on campus at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28. Both speakers will be at the John C. Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library.
Other highlight events include:
• BTO Tunnel of Oppression, sponsored by the Black Togetherness Organization, 5-9 p.m., Feb. 25-28, Lower Grinnell Hall. This free event allows participants to experience a set of scenarios designed to make them rethink issues of oppression, including their own roles in their communities.
• “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Not Enuf,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21-23, and 2 p.m. Feb. 24, in the McLeod Theater in the Communications Building. Tickets are available from Southern Tickets Online, or at the McLeod and Shryock Auditorium box offices.
• Sounds of Spirituals performance hosted by the School of Music, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 27, Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall.
For a full schedule of events, visit Fliers Row on Saluki Times at news.siu.edu/fliersrow.html.