African American History Month 2017 Arts and Writing Competition

African American History Month 2017

Arts and Writing Competition for Grades 8 to 12

Sponsored annually by the Connecticut People's World Committee to remember the

lives and work of Dalzenia Henry and Virginia Henry who devoted themselves to the

young people of New Haven and to making a better future.

How Can We Best Unite Against Bigotry and Injustice?

"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will....The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."

-- Excerpt of speech in 1857 by Frederick Douglass (Feb 7, 1817-Feb. 20, 1895)

Express in artwork, poetry, essay or song:

On the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Douglass, leading abolitionist, orator and writer who fought against slavery and for women's rights, how can we unite against hate, bigotry and injustice to continue his legacy in today's world?

Requirements + Art work – Two dimensional (Drawings, paintings, collage, prints, photographs) Paper size not larger than 18” x 24”

+ Essay, poem or song – Not longer than 2 pages

Deadline Entries must be received by 5 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2017

Name, address, phone, e-mail, age, school, teacher's name (where applicable) must be included

Submission Electronic: ct-pww@pobox.com

Mail: CT People's World, 37 Howe Street, New Haven. CT 06511

Prizes Gift certificates ($100 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place) and books

Presentation Prizes and recognition for all entries will be presented on Sunday, February 26,

2017 at 4:00 pm at Troup School, 259 Edgewood Avenue, New Haven

during the 43rd Annual African American History Month Celebration sponsored by

the Connecticut People's World Committee.

Information e-mail to: ct-pww@pobox.com

Foremost abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) came to Connecticut in January, 1864 to speak in Hartford and New Haven. He told more than 1,200 free Black men who had gathered at Grapevine Point (now Criscuolo Park) in New Haven to become soldiers in the 29th Regiment of the Union Army and fight in the Civil War for freedom: "Not for yourselves alone are you marshaled—you are pioneers—on you depends the destiny of four millions of the colored race in this country. If you rise and flourish, we shall rise and flourish. If you win freedom and citizenship, we shall share your freedom and citizenship." The descendants of the 29th Regiment commissioned a statue which has been placed at the site in commemoration.