News Release

Entitled "The One Thing We Did Right Was Not Give up the Fight: Historical Movements of Black America," the program features a lecture by Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party; the spell-binding oratory of Patricia Russell McCloud, whose moving speech "If Not You - Who, If Not Now - When?" is recorded in the Congressional Record; and a host of dramas, musicals, dances, discussion groups and fairs organized by Hopkins students.

On Feb. 7, Seale will deliver a free lecture in Shriver Hall on the university's Homewood campus where he will talk about the roles different organizations played in the civil rights movement.

Seale and Huey P. Newton founded the Black Panther Party in 1965, advocating gun-toting armed revolution against the white power structure in America. While Newton was in prison for manslaughter after a violent confrontation with Oakland police, Seale became chairman of the Panther Party and built it from a local to a national organization.

In 1969, Seale received international recognition as the most disruptive defendant in the "Chicago 8" conspiracy trial. Seale and seven white radicals faced charges for disrupting the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. During the trial, Seale refused to accept a court-appointed lawyer and was denied his request to either be represented by Black Panther lawyer Charles Garry or by himself. Seale disrupted the trial by verbally objecting until U.S. District Judge Julius Hoffman cited him for contempt, ordered him bound and gagged and declared a mistrial so Seale would be tried separately. The action caused international outrage and Seale was eventually acquitted. He wrote the book Seize the Time while in prison.

During the Attica State Prison revolt, Seale also became the key negotiating committee member of that socially and politically murderous event.

The 1996 Black History Month's chair is Hopkins sophomore Patrique Campbell. Charles Sydnor III, a senior, is president of the JHU Black Student Union.

Included is a schedule of Black History Month events taking place on the Homewood campus at 3400 N. Charles Street in Baltimore.

Friday, Feb. 2, noon
Glass Pavilion, Levering Hall
Opening ceremonies
A presentation of cultural dancing, poetry, music and a celebration of the triumphs Black America has achieved. Refreshments. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
AMR I (freshmen dorm), Multi-Purpose Room
Lecture
Eyes on the Prize Video Series, Part I, and discussion with Sister Nzingha, a veteran Maryland Black Panther. An informative talk about Marshall Edward Conway, one of the first Panthers in Maryland who has been jailed for the past 25 years. (410) 516-5435.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, noon
Glass Pavilion, Levering Hall
Vendor fair
"Ujamaa-Cooperative Economics." Vendors from the Maryland Business Directory will be selling items including books, paintings, hair supplies, oils, food and sorority/fraternity paraphernalia. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon
Clipper Room, Shriver Hall
Lecture
"Frederick Douglass, Baltimore and the Democratic Tradition," a talk by John B. Wiseman, professor of American History, Frostburg State University. Free. (410) 516-7157.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
Shriver Hall Auditorium
Bobby Seale lecture
Bobby Seale, co-founder and former chair of the Black Panther Party will speak on the civil rights movement and the multiple roles other groups played during this time period. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Friday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.
Arellano Theater
Play
The Barnstormers and the JHU African-American Theater Troupe present Blues For Mr. Charlie, James Baldwin's play about a town's ignorance and a murderer no one will bring to justice. Based on the murder of Emmitt Till. $3 for Hopkins students, $5 general admission. (410) 516-5435.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.
Arellano Theater
Play
Blues for Mr. Charlie. $3 for Hopkins students, $5 general admission. (410) 516-5435.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m.
Arellano Theater
Play
Blues for Mr. Charlie. $3 for Hopkins students, $5 general admission. (410) 516-5435.

Monday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.
Shriver Hall Auditorium
Convocation
Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation and NAACP Founder's Day program. The program's keynote speaker, professional orator Patricia Russell McCloud, will highlight historical movements in Black America, specifically the role of the NAACP. A reception will follow in the Clipper Room. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.
Glass Pavilion, Levering Hall
Sweetheart's ball
The Black Student Union and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity present an evening of elegance and charm. Live music, food and refreshments. Black tie optional. $15 per person, $25 per couple. (410) 516-5435.

Sunday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.
AMR I Multi-Purpose Room
Video and discussion
Viewing of Part II of Eyes on the Prize followed by a discussion of the film. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.
AMR I Multi-Purpose room
Lecture and discussion
Brackette Williams, JHU visiting professor of anthropology from University of Arizona will speak on "The Pain of Ethnic growth." The talk is part of the Frederick I. Scott Jr. Discussion Series, named after JHU's first black graduate. Free. (410) 516-5435.

Thursday Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Arellano Theater
Play
We're Gonna Have a Good Time. An encore performance of Johns Hopkins University's African-American Theater Troupe's sold-out December production. Will feature scenes from African-American dramas and musicals that played on Broadway. Includes the last scene of A Raisin in the Sun, the infidelity scene of Fences and musical numbers from Porgy and Bess, Dreamgirls and Your Arms Are Too Short to Box With God. $5 for Hopkins students, $10 general admission. (410) 516-5435.

Friday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Arellano theater
Play
We're Gonna Have a Good Time. $5 for Hopkins students, $10 general admission. (410) 516-5435.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m.
Shriver Hall Auditorium
Dance
Sankofa Dance Theater. Experience an evening of traditional African dance, music and folklore of high energy and stunning artistry. $10. Hopkins students with ID free. (410) 448-2345.