Legacy Museum and

Myles Womack Senior Staff Reporter mjw3@uab.edu

It only makes sense that throughout the calendar year the shortest month is given to celebrate African American people.

Black political and civil figures during movements in American law need to be instructed and dissected in classrooms at all levels of education.

Black media and entertainment don’t just need more representation in numbers but stories that comment on everyday life that highlights black people with similar issues that our counterparts are often allowed to experience.

The general population needs to be versed in black history not because a month calls for it but because we are in fact a part of American history.

Slavery in colonial America, black soldiers who fought on both sides of the Civil War, Emancipation Day, the Civil Rights Act and a numerous amount of other events that have taken place to date.

Black history is an important staple in American culture. Black history should not only be celebrated but taught every day.

Black issues are often forgotten throughout daily news cycles and in general conversation in the mainstream.

Typically, black businesspeople, politicians, activists, entertainers and athletes who have accomplished historic feats are often short-lived.

Further to the point, after the month finishes the names and likes of black leaders and revolutionaries aren’t to be mentioned again until the next year.

The origins of Black History Month date back to post-Civil War Reconstruction era after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Later that year Carter G. Woodson, who was known as the “Father of Black History,” founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).

According to the ASNLH, the purpose of Woodson’s legacy was to help promote the accomplishments of black people since the inception of slavery in America diminished black livelihood. In 1926, Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which eventually lead to the month-long celebration in 1976.

Ten years later, Congress officially designated the celebration to include the entire month of February and what is now known today as ‘Black History Month.’

However, even as African Americans continue to progress and achieve important things today, those very accomplishments receive little, if any, recognition to the masses.

The general population needs to be versed in black history not because a month calls for it but because we are in fact a part of American history.

Slavery in colonial America, black soldiers who fought on both sides of the Civil War, Emancipation Day, the Civil Rights Act and a numerous amount of other events that have taken place to date.

PHOTO BY CADE PAIR / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Skylar Diaz, freshman in business marketing Being bi-racially black, I grew up knowing where my roots are, where I came from. My mom, being black, she has always taught me the value of knowing my history and the history of being black. I think it’s really a beautiful thing that’s been very Lakshmi Bommineni, master’s in computer science History is definitely important. All the things that happened in the past led us to where we are now. I think it’s really important to remember it and celebrate it. Everyone should know the significance of the month and why we need to remember it.” Growing up, I didn’t really get the significance until I got older and learned more about my people and what they went through, and now I think it’s really important. I feel like we don’t really get recognized that much within the community. I think having this month educates not only us, but other people, about the accomplishments that we have made. It’s important to highlight it. Marcellus Payne, freshman in biomedical sciences Amber Glaze, freshman in chemistry Honestly, I think there isn’t enough done to celebrate and recognize black history month. You see fliers and stuff, but unless you actively search out the information, it’s not readily available. Celebrating black history is important, because as a culture and group they have been so oppressed, and we should take the opportunity to celebrate differences.

Jackson Ragland Contributing Reporter jrag@uab.edu

There have been many amazing black music artists throughout time, each adding their piece to the history of music overall.

There are four major names that people know or should know. These four black music artists have provided much more than music. They left a part of their soul in history.

These artists are Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, and Prince. Each one has left their mark on music for the rest of time. Billie Holiday, known for her dazzling voice and amazing sound, was a jazz vocalist who set many standards for her genre.

Without her powerful songs and vocals, there wouldn’t be any soul behind jazz and blues today. Holiday’s influence in jazz and the blues will live on through her songs and the people she has influenced. Sammy Davis Jr. ,who is also known for his impressions and acting with his music, put his mark on entertainment history. Davis was an amazing vocalist and impersonator.

Davis is one of the original members of the “Rat Pack,” (Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop) and was famous for his ability to mimic almost anyone. He mimicked many famous voices including Ray Charles, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis.

Davis’s influence wasn’t just in music, he also was an actor in a few shows, movies and plays as well as a remarkable comedian. Without Davis’ vocal abilities, entertainment would be totally different today. Aretha Franklin is one of the most famous women in music history. She is known as the “Queen of Soul,” and she proved it. Without Franklin artists like Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton might have never found their sound. Franklin’s ability to belt out vocals naturally was and is spectacular to hear. Franklin was a transformative voice in music history and will continue to inspire more and more music artists forever.

Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as just Prince, was one of the most famous singers and songwriters of all time. Prince was an amazing musical artist on and off the stage.

Prince’s music is very strong and powerful, even when he isn’t the one singing. Prince wrote many songs that were hits that he did not sing. Without Prince, today’s music would not be the same.

Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, and Prince have all contributed to music in their own ways; there are many more songs by these artists that have a major impact and will always have a mark on history.

Songs to listen to: -Summertime by Billie Holiday -The Candy Man by Sammy Davis Jr. -Respect by Aretha Franklin -Adore by Prince

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Movies to celebrate Black History Month with

Caleb Wood Senior Staff Columnist calwood@uab.edu

If you like true stories: BlacKkKlansman

This is the movie that finally earned director Spike Lee an Oscar. “BlacKkKlansman” is the real-life story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first black police officer with the Colorado Springs police force, who successfully went undercover in the Ku Klux Klan.

While some directors might play off this situation as comedic, Lee understands the gravity of the situation and powerfully connects it to events unfolding in today’s political climate. He recognizes the Klansman as dangerous monsters and he recognizes that they have not disappeared. This is not a story of people from a distant past. This is a story about people who can live to see it on the screen. PHOTO COURTESY OF 40 ACRES AND A MULE PICTURES

If you like romance: Love & Basketball

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. The debut of director Gina PrinceBlythewood, “Love & Basketball” follows Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) from when they were childhood friends and neighbors dreaming of playing basketball for a living like Quincy’s dad. It follows them and their complicated lovehate relationship through high school, college and into adulthood.

In “Love & Basketball,” the thing that unites Monica and Quincy is, unsurprisingly, basketball, but it also divides. The disparity between the privileges extended to the men’s and women’s teams are a smart commentary on gender inequality by PrinceBlythewood.

If you like horror: Us

If you like comedy: Girls Trip

“Girls Trip” is the story of four black women who reunite for a crazy weekend at Essence Fest in New Orleans. The group were close friends as students at Florida A&M but have since drifted apart. It is a celebration of black female friendship and features cameos by everyone from Mariah Carey to Ava DuVernay.

While the film stars the always remarkable Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish is the star of the show. She makes even the most pedestrian of lines memorable.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL PACKER PRODUCTIONS Like director Jordan Peele’s acclaimed debut “Get Out,” “Us” is a horror film that aims to do more than just scare you. It is the story of a family vacation that goes awry as the family is attacked by their own doppelgangers.

Peele raises the question of how we can we live with ourselves when we know what we are capable of. How do we respond when faced with the most grotesque version of ourselves?

With Lupita Nyong’o delivering an incredible dual performance, “Us” is something that can’t be missed.

Blazers celebrate Armstrong’s legacy PHOTOS BY CAMERON MCPHAIL/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Delta Sigma Theta celebrated the 30th Annual Camille Armstrong Memorial Step Show by stepping in the space themed competition.

BSAC continues the legacy of student through competition

Emma Owen Blazer News Editor Emmaowen@uab.edu

Thirty years ago, UAB student Camille Armstrong was killed in a car accident weeks before her graduation ceremony. UAB celebrates Armstong’s legacy every February with Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show, featuring routines from campus sororities and fraternities, while also fundraising to give scholarships in Camille’s honor. Camille is survived by her brother, Edward Armstrong, who celebrates his sister with UAB every year by attending the stepshow.

“UAB and BSAC have such a strong commitment to honoring Cammy’s legacy and seeing that her memory is living on with the step show and is providing students with an to opportunity to pursue educational dreams,” Armstrong said.

Sharifa Wip, Black Student Awareness Committee advisor, said the students in the Black Student Awareness Committee work hard year after year to honor Camille’s legacy by organizing the show.

“(Camille’s) memory has definitely made a lasting mark on UAB,” Wip said. “She was the epitome of what we like to say a Blazer is. She was a great student, she was well-involved on campus and she was loved by her peers.”

Wip said that Camille had a positive influence on the UAB students that she continues to inspire to this day.

“Her death right before graduation at such a young age left such an impression at UAB,” Wip said. “It was her friends that started a scholarship in her honor to recognize her, and to support the scholarship, they created the step show.”

Wip said she finds importance in showing support for Camille and the show as a student body. “It’s almost our responsibility if we want to call ourselves Blazers and be good stewards of our time here at UAB, that we would continue to honor her legacy and to plan this show and put money into the scholarships so students can realize the dreams that (Camille) did not get the opportunity to.”

Along with enjoying the performances, Wip said she encourages individuals to continue to support the show year after year, because the ticket sales go toward scholarships.

“It’s a party with a purpose,” Wip said. “The money that is collected from the step show goes directly to a scholarship.”

Kamiyah Burks, freshman and a vendor at the step show, said she admires Armstrong and sees the value in honoring her legacy. “I think it’s important because the same

way she supported (our) community, we should also do the same thing in her honor,” Burks said. Burks said this particular step show was special due to it being the third decade of holding the Camille Armstrong Memorial Step Show. “It just makes me proud that we’re able to put this on every year, this being the 30th year, its such a big thing,” Burks said. “The fact that its been able to keep going strong makes me proud.” 2020 Step Show Stats First place sorority: Delta Sigma Theta First place fraternity: Omega Psi Phi Second place sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Second place fraternity: Alpha Phi Alpha Exhibition group: Phi Gamma Rho Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Recipients: Xavier Turner, Biankka Chukwuma and Charelle Lett.

PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/PHOTO EDITOR

“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are” Maya Angelou

Editorial Board Spring 2020 Blazer News Editor Emma Owen emmaowen@uab.edu Laura Jane Stallo Copy Editor lstallo@uab.edu