African-American History Month Events at Northwest One Neighborhood Library

Saturday, February 6, 1:30 PM
A NEW DEAL FOR JAZZ: BLACK SWING MUSIC AND BLACK POLITICS IN THE 1930s
Kevin Strait

Jazz did more than set African-Americans jitterbugging in dance halls. It helped to awaken the political consciousness of a long-disenfranchised minority. Cultural historian Kevin Strait will use video and music clips to demonstrate the power of jazz as entertainment and as a political force.   

Thursday, February 18, 7 PM
“I Prefer Panthers to Pigs”: Black Panther GIs and the 1970-71 Racial Crisis in the 7th Army.
Dr. Maria Höhn
 
Black Power exerted itself in America – and Germany – during the early 1970s. African-American GIs serving in the 7th Army took the struggle overseas. Dr. Maria Höhn, Associate Professor of History at Vassar, is writing a book, A Breath of Freedom: The Civil Rights Struggle, African American GIs, and Germany. She will discuss the disaffection felt by African-American GIs with the white military command and German society.  African-American veterans who served in Germany will be especially welcome at this presentation. See also the website and digital archive associated with this research project (aacvr-germany.org), which received the Julius E. Williams Award for Distinguished Community Service from the NAACP in 2009.

Northwest One Neighborhood Library
155 L Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 939-5946
 http://www.dclibrary.org/northwest

The Northwest One Neighborhood Library branch opened on December 7, 2009. It is located near the Walker-Jones Education Campus at the intersection of L Street and New Jersey Avenue, NW – between the Union Station (Red) and Mt. Vernon Square (Green/Yellow) Metro stations.