Entry-Level Initiative to Celebrate African-American

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001957

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO APER JO
SUBJECT: Entry-Level Initiative to Celebrate African-American
History Month Plays Key Role in Outreach to Jordan



1. (U) SUMMARY: In celebration of African-American History
Month, Embassy Amman scheduled a series of events for Jordanian
and American audiences. The Embassy honored African-Americans
through art exhibitions, film showings, discussion, concerts, and
a formal ball. Each event shared an aspect of African-American
culture and history while emphasizing America's diversity. Entry-
level staff members designed the month's programs and recruited a
diverse committee of staff members from different agencies,
locally employed staff, and eligible family members. Using
volunteers in the Embassy community and the Community Liaison
Office (CLO),African-American History Month programs reached
over 800 people in Jordan. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Programs: To celebrate African-American History Month,
Embassy Amman scheduled a selection of performing and visual
arts, discussions, and social interactions.


3. (U) Poster Exhibits: The Embassy displayed three poster
exhibits throughout the American Club and chancery buildings.
Two of the poster exhibits were part of the State Department's
African-American History Month program featuring Rosa Parks, as
well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
sororities and fraternities. The two American Corners at the
University of Jordan and Hashemiya University also displayed
these two paper shows. An entry-level professional designed the
third poster exhibit, which highlighted prominent African-
American figures. Several LES members commented this was their
first exposure to so much information on African-American
history.


4. (U) Art Exhibit: The Embassy also displayed African-American
art in the American Club. The exhibit featured African-American
artists and African-American foci from the personal collections
of Americans in the Embassy community. All art was accompanied
by the name of the donor and an explanation of the importance of
the artwork to them.


5. (U) Film Showing of Ray: American Embassy employees viewed
the 2004 Academy Award winner "Ray." The content provided an
educational background on the life of Ray Charles and the growth
and influence of African-Americans in music and pop culture. The
CLO provided free popcorn, sodas, and sweets drawing in a larger
crowd.


6. (U) Film Showing and Discussion of Malcolm X: The Ambassador
hosted an educational showing and discussion of Spike Lee's 1992
film "Malcolm X" at the EMR. Approximately twenty Jordanian
undergraduate and graduate students participated in the event.
The Public Affairs Officer facilitated the discussion, which
started with the topic of Islam in the African-American
community. The students openly shared their views on the use of
peaceful protest versus the use of violence in America's Civil
Rights Movement. They then connected recent events in the Middle
East, including movements in Iraq and the Palestinian territories
for democracy and civil rights, with events and progress in
African-American history. Some students compared the use of
religion in politics in the African-American community with the
Middle East. The open discussion allowed the Jordanian students
to freely voice their opinions not only about African-American
history, but also about their own history and conditions in the
region.


7. (U) Hip-hop Performance by Opus Akoben: Described as a "DC
bred, internationally fed hip-hop fusion band," Opus Akoben
performed its blend of hip-hop, rock, go-go, reggae, and Afro-
Brazilian beats at three different venues in Jordan. Public
Affairs arranged for the group to visit Jordan as part of ECA's
Rhythm Roads programs. Opus Akoben conducted three live musical
performances: at Yarmouk University in Irbid, at a popular local
dance club, and at the premier cultural venue in downtown Amman,
in addition to master classes with students from Yarmouk
University, the University of Jordan, the Jordanian Academy for
Music, and the local Haya Cultural Center in Amman. Overall,
more than 550 people attended the live performances, and more
than 145 students participated in the workshops. Through the
African-American History Month Committee, Opus Akoben also
performed at a local lounge to an enthusiastic young crowd of
over 130 Jordanians.


8. (U) Black & White Ball: The African-American History Month
celebration culminated with a formal ball. A U.S. Army colonel
serving at Post served as the keynote speaker and delivered a
speech on African-Americans in the U.S. military. The Ambassador
delivered remarks on the importance of diversity and volunteerism
in the U.S. The event catered to 210 Jordanians and Americans,
and emphasized the importance of African-American history and
America's diversity.


9. (U) Organization: The African-American History Month
Committee organized the events for the month. The committee
consisted of about 25 volunteers, including officers from various
agencies, eligible family members, and locally employed staff
members. Entry-level professionals initiated the month-long
programming and then executed the plan using the leadership and
talents of members of the Embassy community. All events were
self-funded through ticket sales or individual sponsorship. The
CLO played a critical role providing logistical and temporary
funding for many events.


10. (U) COMMENT: Through the series of events, the Embassy
reached at least 800 people in Jordan. Many of the participants
were Jordanian young adults, a targeted audience at the mission.
Senior management at Post supported and recognized the efforts of
all volunteers who helped make it a successful month, and note
that the month's program was entirely an entry-level personnel
initiative. END COMMENT.
Hale