Texas A&M International University

Black History Celebration Continues at TAMIU

An expanded celebration of Black History Month continues at Texas A&M International University throughout the month of February.

Events and activities scheduled include:

* Monday, February 16, 12 p.m., Panel: "Black Professionals in Laredo." Featuring Mr. Gathon Robinson, the only black pilot in the national Border Patrol; Alphe Wells, human resources recruiter at Mercy Medical Center; TAMIU's Captain Ruben Irizarry-Guzmán, assistant professor of military science, Leebrian Gaskins, associate director of Computer and Telecommunication Services and Cassandra Wheeler, benefits specialist, Office of Human Resources. (Western Hemispheric Trade Center, 103).

* Tuesday, February 17, 7 p.m., Black Film Series: "Miss Evers' Boys." 1997. Alfre Woodard won a Golden Globe Best Actress Award for her portrayal of the sympathetic nurse tending to the black men used as guinea pigs in the government-sponsored syphilis experiment in Alabama. (Student Center Auditorium).

* Wednesday, February 18, 12 p.m., Reading: "Black Voices." Students from English class 4338 (Minority Voices) will read pieces from Phyllis Wheatley, Langston Hughes, Sonya Sánchez, Nicolás Guillén, Ntozake Shanga, Sojourner Truth, Dennis Brutus, Derek Walcott, Leopold Senghor, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Alice Walker, Gwendolyn Brooks and Okot p'Bitek. (Western Hemispheric Trade Center, 103).

* Thursday, February 19, 12 p.m., Lecture: "African American Incarceration." Dr. Hamid Kusha, associate professor of criminal justice, will examine the relationship between Blacks and the penal system. (Western Hemispheric Trade Center, 103).

* Monday, February 23, 12 p.m., Lecture: "Blacks in Laredo." Using the MA thesis of the late Jorge González as source, Dr. Stanley Green, professor of history, will discuss the black presence in Laredo. (Western Hemispheric Trade Center, 103).

* Tuesday, February 24, 7 p.m., Black Film Series: "A Raisin in the Sun." 1961. Lorraine Hansberry's landmark drama about the dreams of a family and the forces of racial prejudice blocking their path. (Student Center Auditorium).

* Wednesday, February 25, 12 p.m., Lecture: "Code switching among Blacks and Hispanics." Dr. Roberto Heredia, associate professor of psychology, will comment on the status and linguistic relevance of Ebonics and Spanglish. (Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 103).

* Thursday, February 26, 12 p.m., Musical Presentation: "Jazz in Laredo." Drs. Michael Yoder, associate professor of geography and Kevin Lindberg, assistant professor of English, and fellow band-member, Laredo teacher Rick Cortez, will entertain. (Student Center Food Court).

For more information about Black History Month at TAMIU, please contact Dr. Ezra Engling at 326.2648; visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 435B, or e-mail engling@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.