UM Hosts Black History Month Film Series

The Student Involvement Network at The University of Montana is partnering with UM’s Black Student Union to honor Black History Month with a film series. Films will screen at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in February in the University Center.

The schedule and locations follow:

Feb. 5: “The Confederate States of America,” University Center Theater

Feb. 12: “Cinderella,” University Center Theater

Feb. 19: “Night Catches Us,” University Center Room 330

Feb. 26: “Red Tails,” University Center Room 330

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president officially has designated the month of February as Black History Month.

For more information about the Black History Month Film Series call Jamar Galbreath, program adviser at the UC Student Involvement Network, at 406-243-5776 or email jamar.galbreath@mso.umt.edu; or call Sarah Beals, president of UM’s Black Student Union, at 406-243-2302 or email sarah.beals@umontana.edu.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

Read Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, given on August 28, 1963.

            The University of Montana Black Student Union serves as an organization that fosters student development through diversity, academics, and social services. The student union works to promote a healthy and welcoming space for open forums on race, ethnicity, cultural understanding, and diversity issues. The University of Montana Black Student Union allows students of all races to rejoice in African American culture, lifestyle, history, and activities.

             In 1967, four UM students of African descent, Thamani Akbar, Dee Daniels, Herb White and Mace Gray organized the first Black Student Union on the University of Montana campus. During the fall of 1967, these four students proposed to then-UM President Robert Pantzer that the University start a Black Studies program. Through the diligent efforts of these students and other Missoula residents, Pantzer hired Ulysses Doss in May of `68. The former Chicago community activist Doss, almost immediately, hung a sign on his door declaring himself "Director of Black Studies".

             The University of Montana Black Student Union, or UMBSU as the members lovingly call it, welcomes all members of the Missoula community to join us for events and meetings. We hold meetings on Tuesday at 5:30 at the Black Student Associations House on 5th Street.

Before the Emancipation Proclamation- announced January 1, 1863 there had been a number of efforts by states to end slavery. The emancipation of slaves was not complete until the passing of the 13th amendment to the constitution.