Maxson Middle School Presents 'African Americans And The Vote'

From the Plainfield Public School District:

February 13 2020

Plainfield, N. J. – Maxson Middle School will host a presentation of “African Americans and the Vote,” during a celebration of Black History Month, Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 12:00 pm. to 2:00 p.m. at 920 E. 7th Street, Plainfield, N.J. The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration is being presented in partnership with the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., a professional organization of women in the field of education.

Black History Month began as a celebration in Washington D.C. in 1926. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) a historian and the second African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University, after W.E. DuBois, dedicated his career to African American History and to lobby for the creation of Black History Month. In February 1926 Negro History Month was established as a social initiative to bring national awareness that the struggle for racial equity is everyone’s responsibility. Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February in order to celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to ensure that schoolchildren were exposed to black history.

Mr. Kevin Stansbury, principal of Maxson Middle School, said, “We celebrate Black History Month to recognize the sacrifices, contributions, and achievements of African Americans to the United States and the world. Many of us were educated in schools in which the perspectives, experiences, and discoveries of Black Americans were not an integral part of our learning.

It is through celebration we are reminded that Black History is a shared history. It is through the observance of African American History that all citizens are made aware of the accomplishments, inventions, patents and academic achievements made by people of color. The observance of African American history allows students and teachers to discuss Black History and Culture in a classroom setting; thus contextualizing the continued quest for equity.”

Maxson Middle School is one of 13 schools in the Plainfield Public School District servicing over 799 students in Grades 6-8.

Please join us for the African Americans and the Vote presentation. The event is free and open to the public.

This press release was produced by the Plainfield Public School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.