TOMS RIVER – It was a showcase of culture, cuisine, and history during the Annual Black History Month Celebration hosted by the Toms River Area NAACP at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch.
Toms River Area NAACP President Bahiyyah Abdullah told The Toms River Times, “This has probably been going on for longer than 25 years now. We are very pleased to collaborate again with the library and the Friends of the Library for Black History Month. We are so pleased to have David Mills who is going to talk about Langston Hughes and we are very glad to share free books about the African American experience with all the participants today – and a sampling of soul food.”
The soul food samplings included fried chicken, ribs, roast pork, black eyed peas, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, potato salad and a variety of pies including sweet potato pie.
“It is so important that we do this because black history is American history and world history – not just black history – so it is important that we all celebrate the accomplishments that black people have had in this country,” she added.
David Mills performs on stage at Mancini Hall at the Toms River Library as the special guest presenter for this year’s Black History Month Celebration event hosted by the Toms River Area NAACP in collaboration with the Ocean County Library. (Photo by Emily Vosseller)
Abdullah stressed, “we must be more diligent in telling our history and that it not be modified with books being banned. Education is so important. I believe that has a lot to do with how people feel about other people because they don’t know the contributions. They go by what other people tell them. It is important for you to read it yourself. It is important that the next generation understands the contributions of African Americans to this country,” she added.
The recent event ran for three and a half hours. One usual fixture, the Toms River Step Team, were unable to perform this year. “They have been here many, many times,” Abdullah said. In their absence, Mills stepped in to engage the audience with a Black History trivia contest.
Toms River Area NAACP President Bahiyyah Abdullah speaks during the recent 25th Annual Black History Month celebration program held at the Toms River Library’s Mancini Hall. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Mills is an actor and writer and he provided a dramatic interpretative piece, Dreamweaver: The Works of Langston Hughes. During his presentation he interpreted classic Hughes poems including “I’ve Known Rivers,” “Mother to Son,” “Theme for English B” and “I, Too,” along with lesser-known but powerful odes such as “Merry Go Round” and “Advice,” and short stories including “Thank You Ma’am” and “Rock, Church.”
The Bronx Historical Society’s poet in residence has performed the works of Langston Hughes for 20 years. He is a recipient of the Langston Hughes Society Award.
Among his four published poetry collections, “Boneyarn,” an examination of slavery in New York, won the North American Book Award.
His performance was sponsored by the Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River Branch. “We feel it is very important to do this in collaboration with the library because it is the library where you come for information,” Abdullah added
Residents enjoy the 25th Annual Black History Month program sponsored by the Toms River Area NAACP and the Ocean County Library. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The Toms River Area NAACP can be reached via e-mail at bahiyyah@aol.com and you can visit the national website naacp.org for information as to how to join the organization.
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