The African American West, 1528 to 2000

As Americans, we are taught from an early age to value the study of history as a vital part of our education and our identity as a nation. Study of the American West has been extensive; the number of books, articles and papers published is second only to those relating to the Civil War. But within all those volumes, references to African Americans, who played a significant part in shaping the American West, are almost wholly absent.

Today, historians are re-discovering the contributions of African Americans, recognizing their impact as a people and exploring race relations as they played out in the wild West. In this five-part series, Quintard Taylor focuses on African American history in terms of forming communities, combating racism, and changing social and political patterns in the development of the American West.

When:	Tuesdays, January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 2006, 7 p.m.
Where:	Kane Hall Room 130, UW Seattle Campus
Cost:	Series Tickets: UWAA Member/A&S Dean's Club $50; Non-member $60; Student $20 Patron Tickets: UWAA Member/A&S Dean's Club $100; Non-member $125 Individual Lectures: UWAA Member/A&S Dean's Club $12; Non-member $15; Student $5 Parking Pass (covers all 5 nights): $25
Note :	If available, individual lecture tickets will go on sale on January 3, 2006.
Online tickets sales for the History Lecture Series are now closed.

Patron Tickets include all five lectures, preferred seating, and a tax-deductible donation to the UWAA and the College of Arts & Sciences. Non-member Patron Tickets also include UWAA membership.

Schedule

January 17
Antebellum Slavery and Freedom, 1528-1865: The Paradox of Race and Liberty in the West
Throughout the history of the United States, The American West or "the frontier" as it has popularly been known, has always symbolized both freedom and opportunity, a place where one’s past could be forgotten and where race, gender, ethnicity, or class were removed as barriers to individual success. More about this lecture...

January 24
To the Frontier, 1866-1900: Homesteaders, Cowboys & Buffalo Soldiers Search for Freedom in the West
The Civil War freed the slaves. It also opened vast tracts of land to settlement through the Homestead Act. More about this lecture...

January 31
The Urban Frontier, 1875-1940: African Americans in the Cities of the West
In 1885, as black cowboys trailed cattle from Texas to Dodge City, or Buffalo soldiers stood guard on lonely outposts in New Mexico and Montana, far more African American women and men moved to Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle in search of the jobs available in the urban economy. More about this lecture...

February 7
The World War II Era, 1941-1950: Migration and Transformation
World War II was a period of profound transformation for the 1.3 million African Americans in the West on the eve of the conflict as well as the half million newcomers who would join them by the end of the decade. More about this lecture...

February 14
Into the 21st Century, 1951-2000: The Black West in the Modern Era
By 1963 the direct action protests of the civil rights campaigns in the South had as one Seattle minister proclaimed, finally “leaped the Cascade Mountains.” More about this lecture...

Black History Month

As part of our commitment to diversity we are partnering with Macy’s to present an exhibit at Suzzallo Library, "Northwest Black Pioneers." The exhibit, which features examples of Pacific Northwest African American leaders through our history, begins on February 1, 2006t to celebrate Black History Month, and runs into April, 2006.

We also want to share information about other events celebrating racial and cultural awareness. List of additional Black History Month events at UW.

Professor Quintard Taylor

Quintard Taylor, originally from Brownsville, Tennessee, received his B.A. from St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where he studied with Allan Issacman, Lansine Kaba, Allen Spear and Stuart Schwartz. Taylor has more than 30 years of teaching experience in African American history and specifically African Americans in the American West. His previous positions have included Washington State University, California Polytechnic State University, the University of Oregon (where he was chair of the Department of History from 1997 to 1999) and the University of Lagos (Fulbright-Hays Fellowship). He has also authored two books, edited two anthologies and written more than 50 articles on western African American history, 20th Century African American history, African and Afro-Brazilian history. His current projects include a 20th century history of the African American West for the University of Arizona Press.

Currently serving on the Council of the American Historical Association, Taylor is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Washington State Historical Society, the Washington Territorial Commission and History Link Interactive History Project. Taylor was a founding board member of the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.

New: Listen to an interview with Quintard Taylor on KUOW. On Tuesday, December 27, Quintard spoke on Weekday about the African American experience in the West and gave a preview of the lecture series.

Reading List

Professor Taylor has compiled a suggested reading list (.pdf file) of books related to the lecture series.

Lectures on UWTV and TVW

Video Productions of this series will be aired on University of Washington's cable channel, UWTV, beginning the week of February 14. Air times are as follows: Tuesday at 5 p.m., Friday at 10 p.m., Saturday at 10 a.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. More information is available at the UWTV site. TV Washington (TVW) is also filming and will show the lectures on their cable channel. For information on air times, visit the TVW site.

Location & Directions

Kane Hall is located on the north side of Red Square on the UW Seattle campus. View a map showing the location. Paid parking is available in the Central Plaza Garage below Kane Hall.

Driving Directions: From I-5, take the NE 45th Street exit (#169). Turn east onto NE 45th Street. Continue east about one quarter mile to 15th Avenue NE and turn right. Head south on 15th Avenue three blocks to NE 41st Street. Turn left at Gate #1 into the Central Plaza Garage. Stop at the gatehouse inside the garage for directions and a parking permit.

Special thanks to our sponsors: