The Schomburg Center Gears Up for Black History Month
(Photos: Malcolm X Exhibit at the Schomburg Center via New York Public Library)
For New York City folks looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month and learn something new, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has a variety of exhibitions, talks and events going through February and into the year.
On Thursday night (Feb. 2), Billboard Magazine editor and culture critic Danyel Smith will moderate a debate between authors Steve Stoute and William C. Rhoden on whether or not culture and sports are in a "post Black" moment. Stoute recently published The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Culture Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy and believes that because race is less of a factor in the hip hop culture, it's helped to revive the American dream. Rhoden, on the other hand, feels that while African-American athletes might have built the sports industry with their talent, they still find themselves at the mercy of the industry's power. The debate will take place Feb. 2 at 7 P.M.
The Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) has served as a place Black gay men could go for education, advocacy, social activities and support. Starting this month, the Schomburg Center celebrates the social organization's anniversary with GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images. The exhibition will be on view through August 31.
The center will also look into Barack Obama's rise as commander in chief with The Obama Presidency: A Look Behind the Scenes. Fifty-six photographs by official White House photographer Pete Souza will be on display to create a visual diary of Obama's time in office. Moments captured include the president attending events, dealing with serious matters and a look into his interactions with staff, family and friends. Souza also provides his own comments about each photograph and event. The exhibition will be on view through June 2.
And due to its popularity, Malcolm X: A Search for Truth has been extended through March 8. The public can look through diaries, correspondence, speeches and radio broadcasts in the Malcolm X collection.
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