Black History Celebration Features the Struggle for Racial Equity in Connecticut

The 49^th annual People's World African American History celebration is held in resistance and unity for a “third reconstruction” to end poverty and undo the injustices of centuries of racism, greed and militarism.

Themed “The Power of Youth – The Power of Collective Action. Third Reconstruction 2023: Equity Requires Revenue,” the celebration will be held on Saturday February 25 at 4 pm at the New Haven Peoples Center 37 Howe St. It will also be live streamed at the Facebook event page “49^th People's World”.

Featured will be a panel discussion with members of the Recovery for All coalition who are challenging the state legislature to immediately address racial and economic inequities in this wealthiest state with living wage jobs for essential workers and fully funded public education and health care regardless of immigration status.

Moderated by Jahmal Henderson, union member and Communist Party organizer, panelists will include representatives from SEIU 1199 healthcare workers union, Husky 4 Immigrants, New Haven Federation of Teachers and New Britain Racial Justice Coalition.

They will discuss their struggles, their vision, and the national context in the fight against racism and for equality.

The program will open with presentation of prizes for entries of digital art and poetry in the Arts and Writing Competition Grades 8 to 12 .

The program will also include drumming from the diaspora by Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends, and performance by youth poets and dancers including Diamond Hula and Earl Ali Randall.

Guest speakers, films and youth marches have all been a part of this annual tradition hosted by the People's World upholding African American contributions and culture.

The roots of Black History Month go back to 1926 when, in response to the denial of the contributions of African Americans, Dr G. Carter Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History initiated a week long recognition. That week eventually grew into an official month long celebration 

 

Today as the far right actively seeks to erase from schools and libraries the story of enslavement and oppression and the history of Black resistance, the celebration of African American history month takes on added significance toward carrying forward the freedom struggle for equality for all.