This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

190632Z Mar 06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001957 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL KPAO APER JO
SUBJECT:  Entry-Level Initiative to Celebrate African-American 
History Month Plays Key Role in Outreach to Jordan 
 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  In celebration of African-American History 
Month, Embassy Amman scheduled a series of events for Jordanian 
and American audiences.  The Embassy honored African-Americans 
through art exhibitions, film showings, discussion, concerts, and 
a formal ball.  Each event shared an aspect of African-American 
culture and history while emphasizing America's diversity.  Entry- 
level staff members designed the month's programs and recruited a 
diverse committee of staff members from different agencies, 
locally employed staff, and eligible family members.  Using 
volunteers in the Embassy community and the Community Liaison 
Office (CLO), African-American History Month programs reached 
over 800 people in Jordan.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) Programs: To celebrate African-American History Month, 
Embassy Amman scheduled a selection of performing and visual 
arts, discussions, and social interactions. 
 
¶3. (U) Poster Exhibits: The Embassy displayed three poster 
exhibits throughout the American Club and chancery buildings. 
Two of the poster exhibits were part of the State Department's 
African-American History Month program featuring Rosa Parks, as 
well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 
sororities and fraternities.  The two American Corners at the 
University of Jordan and Hashemiya University also displayed 
these two paper shows.  An entry-level professional designed the 
third poster exhibit, which highlighted prominent African- 
American figures.  Several LES members commented this was their 
first exposure to so much information on African-American 
history. 
 
¶4. (U) Art Exhibit:  The Embassy also displayed African-American 
art in the American Club.  The exhibit featured African-American 
artists and African-American foci from the personal collections 
of Americans in the Embassy community.  All art was accompanied 
by the name of the donor and an explanation of the importance of 
the artwork to them. 
 
¶5. (U) Film Showing of Ray:  American Embassy employees viewed 
the 2004 Academy Award winner "Ray."  The content provided an 
educational background on the life of Ray Charles and the growth 
and influence of African-Americans in music and pop culture.  The 
CLO provided free popcorn, sodas, and sweets drawing in a larger 
crowd. 
 
¶6. (U) Film Showing and Discussion of Malcolm X:  The Ambassador 
hosted an educational showing and discussion of Spike Lee's 1992 
film "Malcolm X" at the EMR.  Approximately twenty Jordanian 
undergraduate and graduate students participated in the event. 
The Public Affairs Officer facilitated the discussion, which 
started with the topic of Islam in the African-American 
community.  The students openly shared their views on the use of 
peaceful protest versus the use of violence in America's Civil 
Rights Movement.  They then connected recent events in the Middle 
East, including movements in Iraq and the Palestinian territories 
for democracy and civil rights, with events and progress in 
African-American history.  Some students compared the use of 
religion in politics in the African-American community with the 
Middle East.  The open discussion allowed the Jordanian students 
to freely voice their opinions not only about African-American 
history, but also about their own history and conditions in the 
region. 
 
¶7. (U) Hip-hop Performance by Opus Akoben:  Described as a "DC 
bred, internationally fed hip-hop fusion band," Opus Akoben 
performed its blend of hip-hop, rock, go-go, reggae, and Afro- 
Brazilian beats at three different venues in Jordan.  Public 
Affairs arranged for the group to visit Jordan as part of ECA's 
Rhythm Roads programs.  Opus Akoben conducted three live musical 
performances: at Yarmouk University in Irbid, at a popular local 
dance club, and at the premier cultural venue in downtown Amman, 
in addition to master classes with students from Yarmouk 
University, the University of Jordan, the Jordanian Academy for 
Music, and the local Haya Cultural Center in Amman.  Overall, 
more than 550 people attended the live performances, and more 
than 145 students participated in the workshops.  Through the 
African-American History Month Committee, Opus Akoben also 
performed at a local lounge to an enthusiastic young crowd of 
over 130 Jordanians. 
 
¶8. (U) Black & White Ball:  The African-American History Month 
celebration culminated with a formal ball.  A U.S. Army colonel 
serving at Post served as the keynote speaker and delivered a 
speech on African-Americans in the U.S. military.  The Ambassador 
delivered remarks on the importance of diversity and volunteerism 
in the U.S.  The event catered to 210 Jordanians and Americans, 
and emphasized the importance of African-American history and 
America's diversity. 
 
¶9. (U) Organization:  The African-American History Month 
Committee organized the events for the month.  The committee 
consisted of about 25 volunteers, including officers from various 
agencies, eligible family members, and locally employed staff 
members.  Entry-level professionals initiated the month-long 
programming and then executed the plan using the leadership and 
talents of members of the Embassy community.  All events were 
self-funded through ticket sales or individual sponsorship.  The 
CLO played a critical role providing logistical and temporary 
funding for many events. 
 
¶10.  (U) COMMENT:  Through the series of events, the Embassy 
reached at least 800 people in Jordan.  Many of the participants 
were Jordanian young adults, a targeted audience at the mission. 
Senior management at Post supported and recognized the efforts of 
all volunteers who helped make it a successful month, and note 
that the month's program was entirely an entry-level personnel 
initiative.  END COMMENT. 
Hale