Today is February 1st, and it is the start of Black History Month. While these things should be celebrated year-round, this is month when we highlight Black culture and celebrate the many contributions Black persons have made to the country and to the world. Many times, these contributions are overlooked (e.g. ignored, not taught in schools, culturally appropriated, covered up).
Black History Month's start is attributed to Carter G. Woodson, a historian and journalist, and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (later renamed as the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in the early 1970's).
Black History Month's start is attributed to Carter G. Woodson, a historian and journalist, and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (later renamed as the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in the early 1970's).
In the words of Woodson:
Black History Month's beginning goes back almost 100 years ago, when Woodson started Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson picked the month of February, specifically the second week of the month, because Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass' birthdays are in the second week in February (February 12 and February 14, respectively).
As noted, the celebration was for one week. Over the years, literally decades, more and more mayors across the country were recognizing the week-long celebration (only in states where there were significant Black populations) and endorsing it as a holiday.
The commemoration expanded to the entire month of February in 1970. Led by a student group known as the Black United Students and university faculty at Kent State University in Ohio, the first Black History Month took place. This action updated the entire idea of highlighting Black persons' contributions that had been for just one week in the forty-four years prior.
In 1976, during America's bicentennial year, Black History Month was endorsed by then-President Gerald Ford, who issued a proclamation designating the month of February as Black History Month. In doing so, Ford called on all Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history". Absolutely!
Throughout this month, in addition to any other posts here, I will be posting in honor of Black History Month. I will share some personal thoughts as well as highlighting films and books relative to Black history. I hope will join me here. Please share these posts/this blog with others.
Terry
"If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition,
it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world,
and it stands in danger of being exterminated."
Black History Month's beginning goes back almost 100 years ago, when Woodson started Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson picked the month of February, specifically the second week of the month, because Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass' birthdays are in the second week in February (February 12 and February 14, respectively).
As noted, the celebration was for one week. Over the years, literally decades, more and more mayors across the country were recognizing the week-long celebration (only in states where there were significant Black populations) and endorsing it as a holiday.
The commemoration expanded to the entire month of February in 1970. Led by a student group known as the Black United Students and university faculty at Kent State University in Ohio, the first Black History Month took place. This action updated the entire idea of highlighting Black persons' contributions that had been for just one week in the forty-four years prior.
In 1976, during America's bicentennial year, Black History Month was endorsed by then-President Gerald Ford, who issued a proclamation designating the month of February as Black History Month. In doing so, Ford called on all Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history". Absolutely!
Throughout this month, in addition to any other posts here, I will be posting in honor of Black History Month. I will share some personal thoughts as well as highlighting films and books relative to Black history. I hope will join me here. Please share these posts/this blog with others.
Terry
No comments:
Post a Comment