2008 Press Releases
Black History Month events in Latvia to address cultural heritage
Riga, January 31, 2008. – The United States Embassy in
Latvia is organizing various events throughout the month of February to
tell the story and introduce the cultural heritage of African-Americans
to the Latvian public. Americans have celebrated Black History Month
since 1926, first as Negro History Week, and it has become an annual
tradition to remember and honor the history of Americans of African
descent. The opening event of the month will be a concert at Bites Blues Club
by an American blues singer, Nora Jean Bruso and Latvian Blues Band,
with participation and opening remarks of U.S. Ambassador to Latvia
Catherine Todd Bailey. Born in the heart of a blues-rich region, the
Delta of Mississippi, Nora Jean Bruso is a daughter of a blues singer,
she grew up listening to her family singing blues classics. Having
performer in Europe, Canada and the United States, Nora Jean Bruso
developed an international circle of fans. Her latest CD, Going back to
Mississippi, was published in 2004. The visit of Nora Jean Bruso is a
result of successful cooperation between the Embassy and the Bites
Blues Club. On February 1, Nora Jean Bruso will sing for an invited
audience, and she will have two more concerts at Bites Blues Club also
on the evening of February 1 and on Saturday, February 2. Within the framework of Black History Month, African American
basketball player, guard for ASK Riga team Curtis Millage will visit
Latvian high schools to discuss stereotypes and tolerance with
students. In the third week of February, two distinguished speakers from the
American Folk Life Center of the Library of Congress and the Lomax
Archives will visit Riga for three lectures and audiovisual
presentations on African American Folk Music. Folklorist and
anthropologist Alan Lomax dedicated to his life to collecting folk
music of the 20th century, mostly of the African Americans, and he even
went to farms and prisons to collect the music. The recordings, which
also include interviews with world-famous blues singers, now serve as
an amazing record of the origins of blues, and they have been used by
famous contemporary musicians, like Moby. Ann Lomax Wood, the daughter
of Alan Lomax, and Dr. Todd Harvey, folklife specialist of the American
Folklife Center, will take their audiences on an exciting journey to
explore the story of African American music during three lectures at
the University of Latvia (February 11), Latvian Academy of Culture
(February 12), and Academy of Music (February 13). During February, events dedicated to Black History Month will also
take place in the Liepaja American Center. In cooperation with Naujene
Public library and Naujene Children and Youth Center, Daugavpils
American Center will organize a literature exhibition and poster show
in Naujene Children and Youth Center. “We cannot understand the history of the United States without
understanding the role African Americans have played in it,” says
Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. “This year, we have chosen to
highlight the enormous contribution African Americans have made to the
American culture, and blues is the best way to do it. I am very pleased
to announce Black History Month, and I hope that our activities will
provide a new, exciting angle of African American history.” Presidential Proclamation on National African American History Month THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, 2008 During National African American History Month, we honor the achievements and celebrate the rich heritage of African Americans. Throughout our Nation's history, African Americans from all walks of
life have offered their talents to the betterment of American society.
Scholars such as Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois were early
leaders who placed great importance on educating all people about the
need for justice and racial equality. Athletes such as Jackie Robinson
and Althea Gibson persevered while breaking the color barrier and
competing at the highest levels of sports. Musicians like Nat King Cole
and Billie Holiday lifted the American spirit with their creativity and
musical gifts. Through their extraordinary accomplishments, these
leaders helped bring our Nation closer to fulfilling its founding
ideals. This year's theme, "Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism," honors an educator who taught his fellow citizens about the
traditions and contributions of African Americans. His dedication to
educating Americans about cultural diversity initiated this celebration
of African-American history. Our Nation is now stronger and more
hopeful because generations of leaders like him have worked to help
America live up to its promise of equality and the great truth that all
of God's children are created equal. Throughout African American History Month, we celebrate the many
contributions African Americans have made to our Nation, and we are
reminded of their courage in their struggle to change the hearts and
minds of our citizens. While much progress has been made, we must
continue to work together to achieve the promise and vision of our
great Nation. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2008 as
National African American History Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this
month with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth
day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-second.
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Office of the Press Secretary
January 29, 2008
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
GEORGE W. BUSH
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 6750-9022
Internet: riga.usembassy.gov
Media specialist's e-mail: dilanes@state.gov