PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — In honor of Black History Month and the 150th anniversary of the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation, a presentation will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Northern Maine Community College. The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place from noon-1 p.m. in the library.
David Raymond, chair of the NMCC arts and sciences department and longtime humanities instructor, will explain what the Emancipation Proclamation was, why it was issued, and if it really did free the slaves as popular sentiment tells us.
Black History Month had its beginnings in 1926 as “Negro History Week.” It was founded by historian Carter G. Woodson, who spent his life working to educate all people about the vast contributions made by African-American men and women throughout history. The expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was recognized by the U.S. government in 1976.
In 2013 the country commemorates two events that changed the course of the nation — the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington. Standing as milestone moments in American history, these achievements were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals — both famous and unknown — who believed in the American promise that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal.”
The March on Washington is well remembered by older generations and well publicized to the younger ones; however, the Emancipation Proclamation is further removed and not as well understood. Raymond hopes to remedy that during the upcoming presentation.
