by Aberjhani .
In observance of Black History Month and the International Year for People of African Descent, the National African-American Art Examiner in 2011 will periodically report on and explore a variety of issues pertaining to these subjects. Reports will include profiles of contemporary figures, trending developments, and teachable historic moments. The series begins now:
With the United Nation’s proclamation of the year 2011 as the “International Year for People of African Descent,” the annual Black History Month observed by African Americans for nearly a century will reflect a deeper significance when it kicks off next week.
The proclamation was first issued by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 2009, and launched December 10, 2010. As quiet as it may have been kept thus far, the International Year for People of African Descent officially started January 1.Continue reading on Examiner.com: Black History Month enhanced by International Year for People of African Descent - National African-American Art Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/african-american-art-in-national/black-history-month-enhanced-by-international-year-for-people-of-african-descent#ixzz1CAKyf13z
With the United Nation’s proclamation of the year 2011 as the “International Year for People of African Descent,” the annual Black History Month observed by African Americans for nearly a century will reflect a deeper significance when it kicks off next week.
The proclamation was first issued by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 2009, and launched December 10, 2010. As quiet as it may have been kept thus far, the International Year for People of African Descent officially started January 1.Continue reading on Examiner.com: Black History Month enhanced by International Year for People of African Descent - National African-American Art Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/african-american-art-in-national/black-history-month-enhanced-by-international-year-for-people-of-african-descent#ixzz1CAKyf13z
An Upgrade in Perspective
Black History Month has traditionally functioned as a means of highlighting the first-time individual achievements, landmarks events, and cultural trends associated with African Americans. And no one has suggested that should not happen in February 2011. However, an International Year for People of African Descent suggests individuals expand their awareness beyond the United States to embrace knowledge regarding “Afro-descendents” on every continent.
Black History Month has traditionally functioned as a means of highlighting the first-time individual achievements, landmarks events, and cultural trends associated with African Americans. And no one has suggested that should not happen in February 2011. However, an International Year for People of African Descent suggests individuals expand their awareness beyond the United States to embrace knowledge regarding “Afro-descendents” on every continent.
This leap in global consciousness is a major one for many Americans because citizen of the U.S. have long been accustomed to thinking in terms of African Americans or Black Americans. But few outside specialized academic or political circles are likely comfortable or even familiar with the following terms, which represent only a sample:
Afro-Brazilian
Afro-British
African-Caribbean
Afro-French
African-German
Afro-Guyanese
Afro-Italians
African-Nova Scotian
Afro-Russian
Afro-Venezuelan
Speaking at an event supporting the launch of International Year for Peoples of African Descent, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the impact of the transatlantic slave trade is one that continues to have negative consequences for Afro-descendants and Africans across the globe:Continue reading on Examiner.com: Black History Month enhanced by International Year for People of African Descent - National African-American Art Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/african-american-art-in-national/black-history-month-enhanced-by-international-year-for-people-of-african-descent#ixzz1CAL8HXJz
