California African American Museum is Hub for Black History Month News Events

LOS ANGELES - Black History Month may not have come into being until 1976, but it was the brainchild of Carter Woodson who started a Negro History Week as far back as 1926. The goal of the observance - then and now - is the understanding that African Americans have historically been disadvantaged by Caucasian Americans but also other cultures who call the continent their home, and the fact that history is traditionally told by the stronger peoples threatened the loss of much of the African heritage.

Even as Mr. Woodson believed that American and African history would be integrated and thus eliminate the need for any such observance, those in favor of keeping this celebration going have turned it into a political and sometimes questionable activity.

Fortunately, the California African American Museum at 600 State Drive (Exposition Park) in Los Angeles has found a perfect vehicle for showcasing the African heritage but also celebrating its integration. In an exhibit entitled Common Ground, a traveling display of paintings explores what is known as "The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present" (an exhibit that is running concurrently).

Paintings such as the one entitled Hip Hop Dad by Jose Ramirez, mixed media sculptures like the Soul/Sole Shine by Dominique Moody and integrated collage work as displayed in Mildred Howard's work entitled Cartography del Cuerpo are found side by side with compelling photographic arts, such as Carla Weber's print known as Jo Jo and Areyan from her Mothers & Daughters series.

What makes the Common Ground exhibit so special is not the fact that the artwork is amazing and truly showcases a distinct African influence on Mexican artists and vise versa, but that it serves to point out the commonalities that exist between the two cultures. For Angelinos in particular this is a much needed reminder, considering that in the various portions of the city where gang warfare has given rise to a brown on black crime spree, there appears to be more segregation based on race than ever.