John Henrik Clarke: A Decade Later

[XXPANTHAXX]

Respondents:: Sis Sybil Williams Clarke, Dr. James McIntosh,

Hon. Charles Barron and Dr. Ben
On Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Departments of Mass Communications, Interdisciplinary Studies and the John Henrik Clarke—C.L.R. James African World Research Institute at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn New York will host a film screening free to the public. The film, John Henrik Clarke: A Decade Later captures the events that honor the life and works of Dr. Clarke from 1998 to 2008. CUNY conferred an honorary doctorate upon one its own professor emeritus, the late Dr. John Henrik Clarke, of Hunter College in December 1998, posthumously.



Since that time, all over the United States and around the world, many of his beloved students, friends and scholars were engaged in several academic and community activities to keep this scholar's name alive. For example, a library was named after him at Cornell University, a primary school bears his name, Clark Atlanta University and the Schomburg libraries’ collections have been enhanced with more than 40, 000 pieces of items and books donated by Dr. Clarke , and 137th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem was renamed Dr. John Henrik Clarke Place.. Equally important, the Life and Works of John Henrik Clarke, a course taught by Professor Clinton Crawford of Medgar Evers College, is now in its ninth year. Along with the afore mentioned landmarks, the viewers will be see Friends of John Henrik Clarke In Their Own Words and vintage John Henrik Clarke in His Own Words.



We are always reminded by Dr. Clarke: “I selected Harlem as the laboratory where I would search for the true history of my people. I could not stomach the lies of world history, so I took some strategic steps in order to build a life of scholarship and activism in New York. “ From his Harlem base, Dr. Clarke was responsible for the founding and development of such organizations such as the Harlem Writers Guild, Freedomways, Présence Africaine, African Heritage Studies Association, Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, National Council of Black Studies, and Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations. In addition, Dr. Clarke became an energetic participant in circles like Harlem Writer's Workshop, studied history and world literature at New York and Columbia Universities and at the League for Professional Writers." On a few occasions he underscored, "I did not have to do it; he did anyway."



Much like the Egyptians taught Plato and Socrates what they eventually knew, Clarke declared, “I was privileged to sit at the feet of great warriors like Arthur Schomburg, Willis Huggins, Charles Seiffert, William Leo Hansberry, John G. Jackson and Paul Robeson. The great teacher posited “One of Dr. Clarke's favorite refrains was: "When the European emerged in the world in the 15th and 16th centuries, for the second time, they not only colonized most of the world, they colonized information about the world, and they also colonized images, including the image of God, thereby putting us into a trap, for we are the only people who worship a God whose image we did not choose. I had to respond to this behavior. I could not live with this nonsense and contradictions and I challenged these insidious concepts and theories. " He therefore spent the greatest moments of his life uncovering the truth and empowering the minds of African people globally. And, for this we are a much better people today before he stepped unto the world stage and placed our history and culture back to its rightful place, at the center of world history.



Dr. Clarke was never shy to express his open affection for African people, especially his beloved widow Sister Sybil Williams Clarke. Clarke shared with us in his last moments, “I have known love and bliss. Sybil Williams-Clarke, whom I have known for over fifty years and now my wife of ten months and my companion and friend eleven years, has made this journey with me and made my life complete. But, Sybil, your loving touch notwithstanding, your arms were not long enough to box with the eminent moment. But, while I must make this physical departure, spiritually, I will not leave you and God will take care of you. When you feel a cool breeze blow across your face every now and then, just know that it comes from the deep reservoir of love that I hold for you." The afore pronouncement typifies and amplifies Clarke's humanity and warmth.



A 70-minute must see, riveting, colorful, and intellectually simulating urban treat awaits the viewers as they are reminded of the great scholar, historian and man of the people. Come and witness this historic event for yourself as Dr. Ben, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Rosalyn Jeffries, Sister Sybil Williams-Clarke, Dr. James McIntosh, Dr. James Turner, Del Jones, Councilman Charles Barron, young hip pop artists, students, and other friends tell his story on film in their own words.

 

 

This event is free to the public. For more information please call (718) 270-5140, email crawford@mec.cuny.edu and visit SANKOFA** WORLD*** PUBLISHERS