Arts and Writing Competition 2019

African American History Month 2019

Arts and Writing Competition for Students 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.

The Great Migration: Then and Now

Fleeing Terror - Searching for Jobs and Equality

During the Great Migration (1916 to 1970), six million African Americans left the South. They moved to cities like New Haven in the North and the West. They were fleeing discrimination, lynchings, denied rights and a lack of jobs. They were searching for a better life for themselves and their children. As they settled they found that segregation and racism were not just in the South. The migration gave rise to the Civil Rights Movement and before that to the art, literature and music of the Harlem Renaissance that stirred the country.

Artist Jacob Lawrence created a series of paintings about the Great Migration. He said, "And the migrants kept coming...their struggles and triumphs ring true today. People all over the world are still on the move, trying to build better lives for themselves and for their families." In 2018 famed activist and scholar Angela Davis said, “I believe that the major civil rights issue of the 21st century is the issue of immigrant rights,”

Express in artwork, essay, poetry, rap or song:

Do you know someone with a story about migration? A story about grandparents or great grandparents who came up from the South to flee lynchings and look for jobs and a better life in New Haven? Do you know someone who came up from Latin America or elsewhere in recent years? What did they find? How can we continue the struggle for good jobs and equal rights to fulfill the dreams of those who came and made New Haven home?  What are your dreams for a better life?

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

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

Deadline Entries must be received by 5 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2019

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 24,

2019 at 4:00 pm during the 45th Annual African American History Month Celebration

sponsored by the Connecticut People's World Committee.

Information e-mail to: ct-pww@pobox.com Phone messages can be left at: 203-624-8664