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Dalton State to Host African-American Trivia Night

02/14/17

Quick: Who was the first African-American to play professional baseball? Who did the Daughters of the American Revolution prohibit from singing in Constitution Hall in 1939 because of her race? Who was the first African-American elected to the United States Congress?

All are invited to test their knowledge of African-American history, culture, entertainment, and sports in a trivia competition at Dalton State Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the College’s Goodroe Auditorium. The event will be held in commemoration of Black History Month and is sponsored by the College’s Black History Month Committee and the History Club.

Participants will compete as individuals, recording their answers either on paper or cellphones via an app. Prizes will be awarded for high scores.

“It is important to celebrate the achievements and history of African-Americans, while at the same time recognizing the central role African-Americans have played and continue to play in American society and history,” according to Dr. Seth Weitz, Associate Professor History. “My hope is that this event will educate, enlighten, and foster interest so that in the future we can grow the program and reach across the campus and community to further our celebration of Black History Month.”

You could qualify for a prize in the trivia contest if you knew that William Edward White was the first professional African-American baseball player (he served as a substitute in one professional game in 1879), that it was contralto Marian Anderson who was banned from singing at Constitution Hall (but later gave a triumphant performance at the Lincoln Memorial), and that Sen. Hiram Revels of Mississippi was the first African-American member of Congress.

Earlier this month the College presented scholar Dr. Will Guzman who spoke on the national political impact of Physician L.A. Nixon. Later this month Weitz, who is working to develop an African-American Studies minor, will present a program for Dalton State students on white privilege.