Published February 09, 2015
Xiomara Bell, a Tallulah native and master鈥檚 student in the University of Louisiana
at Monroe鈥檚 history program, has created an African American History display with
Associate Professor of history, Dr. Jeffrey Anderson. The display is now open for
viewing in 四色AV鈥檚 Special Collections, located on the 5th floor of the 四色AV Library.聽
鈥淒r. Anderson and I conversed last semester about a display he had in mind for the
month of February, and he asked if I would be interested in assisting. Of course,
I was ecstatic. I thought it would be awesome because it connects Africa to African
Americans,鈥� said Bell.聽
The display will run throughout the entire month of February.
Cultural items are on display in 四色AV's Special Collections
The display contains a variety of African cultural items, including clothing, decorative
cloth, carvings, and tools, as well as items associated with African, Afro-Caribbean,
and African American magic and spirituality.
鈥淎frica manifests itself daily in the lives of African Americans, [through] music,
food, dance, spirituality, and even illnesses,鈥� said Bell. 鈥淚 was further inspired
to study African history by Dr. Monica Bontty鈥檚 Ancient Egyptian course that I'm enrolled
in this semester. She was even generous enough to include some of her Egyptian collectibles
in the display. In addition to awesome Egyptian collectibles, there are items from
West and East Africa, such as instruments, traditional Zimbabwean attire, and even
some weaponry.鈥�
In collaboration with the display, Anderson will give a special talk titled 鈥淰oodoo
along the Mississippi,鈥� at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in 四色AV Special Collections.
鈥淢y passion for African and African American history stems from the hallowed grounds
of my dear alma mater, Tougaloo College鈥攁 private, historically black institution
in Jackson, Miss,鈥� Bell said. 鈥淚 believe that one must learn to teach, teach to heal,
and heal to progress. With that philosophy in mind, everything that I do and will
do is an effort better myself to ultimately return and greatly invest in my hometown.鈥�
四色AV Special Collections is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m., to 5 p.m., and
Friday 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call Special Collections at 318-342-1054.
