Consul Donald Moore speaking at Liceo Manzoni's eastern campus
on February 26.
E
ach February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles – slavery, prejudice, poverty – as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. 2007 marks the 81st annual celebration since Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian, instituted Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” When Woodson established Negro History week, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public.
The intention never has been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public's attention important developments that merit emphasis.
Since 1926, The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH) has established the national theme for the month-long celebration. The National Theme for the celebration in the year 2007 is “From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas.”
Consul Donald Moore speaking at Liceo Manzoni's western campus
on February 27.
This year, to celebrate Black History Month, the U.S. Consulate General in Milan organized on February 26 and 27 lectures at the two campuses of the Liceo Linguistico Manzoni. Donald L. Moore, Chief of the Consular Section, discussed Civil Rights by highlighting the history of his family in the United States. Following his speech, students peppered Mr. Moore with questions, launching an interesting discussion of civil rights in the United States.
Mr. Moore spoke about his family’s free and slave ancestors in Spanish Florida, about the concept of “separate but equal” education facilities, about the origins of the Civil Right Movement, and about the movement’s outcome. He spoke about being one of the first African Americans at the Law School of the University of Florida, his career as a lawyer in the U.S. Navy, and his career as a U.S. diplomat. He also mentioned that the current Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleeza Rica, and her immediate predecessor, General Colin Powell, were African Americans. Mr. Moore concluded his lecture by encouraging the students to pursue their ideals and attain the objectives they set for themselves in their lives.
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