Princeton Recognizes Black History Month With Community Events

Princeton NJ

09 February, 2022

10:15 AM

Description

PRINCETON, NJ — In celebration of Black History Month, Princeton is hosting some educational community events in the month of February. We'll begin with the Princeton Public Library which has a host of events planned this month. On Thursday, Feb. 10, Princeton Public Library will host a session of its series "Black Voices Book Group." The group will discuss the novel "Open Water" by Caleb Azumah Nelson. The book is a love story and an insight into race and masculinity that asks what it means to be a person in a world that sees you only as a Black body. The event will take place virtually via Google Meet.Register here to join. The library will be hosting a virtual discussion, "Black Activism, Then and Now," on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The discussion will be on the theme of Black activism from a historical and contemporary perspective. Speakers are Meena Jagannath, Rev. Lukata Mjumbe and scholar Shana L. Redmond in conversation with Derecka Purnell, a lawyer, writer, and organizer. This program is presented in partnership with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement at Princeton University and the Paul Robeson House of Princeton. Click here to register. There will be an in-person screening of the film "Just Mercy" on Feb. 20. The film is the true story of lawyer Bryan Stevenson as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence. No registration is required. Learn more here. On Feb. 24, Eugene Smith will speak about his new book, "Back to the World: A Life after Jonestown." He'll be in conversation with Christopher Fisher of The College of New Jersey's history department. Smith lost his mother, wife and infant son in the mass murder-suicide at Jonestown, Guyana, on Nov. 18, 1978. Click here to register. An in-person screening of Aretha Franklin's biographical film "Respect" will be held on Feb. 25. No registration is required. You can also watch documentaries and digital exhibitions from home. The short documentary, "Princeton Plan: Fifty Years Later" tells the story of school integration in Princeton. You can click here to watch. Completed in 2017, "Princeton and Slavery Project" includes dozens of essays, documents, and multimedia visualizations that trace the University and town's connections to slavery. You can access it here. If you're in the mood for a walk, explore the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society's Heritage Plaques. There are 29 plaques in the neighborhood documenting the rich history. These plaques will allow people to take a self-guided walking tour of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood and learn the story of the neighborhood and the African American residents who lived here. Click here for more information. Did we miss out on any events commemorating Black History Month? Let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.