2/21/08
Library celebrates Black History Month with seminar on culture
By Jerriod Grizzle

It is about African American culture and about the categories of culture and what are the aspects of that culture,” said Carrie James, reference librarian at the Harvin Clarendon County Library, describing the library’s upcoming program to celebrate Black History Month. The program will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Seminar speaker Dr. Stephanie Mitchem will discuss a number of topics, including posing the question if black culture is one culture or many cultures combined into one.

The seminar will also discuss black culture as it applies to America.

“Is there a point where black culture becomes American culture? That is one of the questions out there,” James said.

James said the library, in association with the South Carolina Humanities Council, hold a celebration of Black History every year to celebrate the accomplishments of blacks in America.

The month of February is Black History Month.

“It is very informative and it helps people to know we all work together to make the world a better place and as we learn about other cultures, we associate better,” she said.

Mitchem, an accomplished author and professor of religious studies at the University of South Carolina, has written four books on the subject of black culture.

“My area is religion, African religion, and African American spirituality,” she said.

Mitchem, a graduate of North West University and Garrett Evangelical Seminary said her four books reflect her interests in the topic of cultures.

One of her books, “Womanist Theology,” talks about particular religious perspectives and black women’s experiences.

Mitchem’s other books are: “African American Women Tapping Power and Spiritual Wellness,” “African American Folk Healing” and “Name It and Claim It? Prosperity Preaching in the Black Church.” She is also working on another book that will focus on African American folk healing.

“I am looking forward to the program,” she said. “I am looking forward to helping people explore their own culture.”