AMERICAN CORNERS CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000561

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),
(IIP/G/NEA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KIRC OIIP SCUL MU
SUBJECT: AMERICAN CORNERS CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH


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Summary
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1. Embassy Muscat facilitated videoconferences (DVCs) on
African-American literature at two American Corners to
commemorate Black History Month. Dr. Dan T. Carter, a
professor at the University of South Carolina, spoke on the
"U.S. Civil Rights Movement," and poet and novelist Natasha
Tretheway described "Contemporary African-American
literature." The programs enlightened young Omani audiences
about the compelling history of African-Americans and their
contribution to broader American society and engendered lively
discussion between the speakers and their audiences. End
summary.

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Civil Rights Come to Life
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2. On March 1, 2005, about fifty Omani students attended a
videoconference on the "U.S. Civil Rights Movement" at the
American Corner in the Modern College of Business and Science
in Muscat. The guest speaker was Dr. Dan T. Carter, a noted
educational specialist who has received numerous awards in the
field of African-American studies. Dr. Carter's vivid
personal account of growing up in the segregated south and
observing sit-in and protests helped to make the American
civil rights struggle come to life for an audience of over 50
Omani students, many of whom are currently enrolled in
American history courses. Dr. Carter's presentation was
followed by a lively question and answer session in which
students asked pointed questions such as why America continues
to classify its citizens by race; what can be done to
eliminate prejudice against blacks in America; and what can
the government do to help lift blacks out of poverty? Dr.
Carter, recognizing the sincerity of the students' questions,
gave thoughtful, balanced responses to their questions.

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Contemporary Literature, Probing Questions
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3. On March 8, 2005, the American Corner in Salalah, Oman's
second most important city, organized a videoconference with
noted author and award-winning poet Natasha Trethewey. Ms.
Trethewey began her discussion of Contemporary African
American literature by reciting some of her own poems, before
going on to describe contemporary African-American literature
and how it has changed over time. A small but engaged
audience listened attentively to her remarks. The question
and answer session became energized when students began to
consider whether works by hip-hop artists such as "Puff Daddy"
and "50 Cents" should be considered contemporary African-
American literature.

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The Corners are Growing Up
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4. These programs were the first attempts by the fledgling
American Corners to design and implement their own outreach
activities. Although the programs were technically and
organizationally imperfect, they met their goal of bringing an
understanding of the diversity of American society to Omani
youth. The DVCs also enabled the American Corner staff to
gain confidence in their ability to arrange successful
activities with minimal Embassy oversight.

BALTIMORE