What does Black History month mean to you?
Who’s the first person that comes to mind? Saquon Barkley? Martin Luther King? Damson Idris?
On Saturday, February 1st, we observed the beginning of the annual celebration of Black History Month. By definition, Black History Month serves as the annual February celebration and recognition of achievements made by African Americans in U.S. history. Officially recognized by the US in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford, many historic sources say the celebration of the event actually goes as far back as 1926. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founder & African American scholar Carter G. Woodson first proclaimed the event as “Negro History Week”.
While the standard definition is blatant and commonly understood by most Americans, the real representations that constitute the importance of Black History month is usually still a topic of confusion. With all emphasis on the “still”, because no article about Black History month would make any reasonable sense without proper background.
Returning to Carter G. Woodson, his original idea behind “Negro History Week” still functions as a proper & factual source of reason for the need of a designated month. Being the second black American to receive a PhD in history from Harvard, following none other than renowned sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, Dr. Woodson experienced first-hand the lack of representation black Americans received in American institutions in the 1910s and 1920s. After coining the celebration, however, he widely influenced African Americans through his unapologetic manner towards the uplifting of black Americans in the US. Amidst the beginning of the Jim Crow era, Dr Woodson’s determination for an educated America gave rise through many important events that would follow into the Civil Rights Movement. Unfortunately, Carter G. Woodson died in 1950. He never saw what his part in African-American rights would become. But, his mission in an educated America still lives.
And in such, with many other African-Americans who shaped America into what it is, Black History month is also about the African-Americans who will continue to influence America. To recognize and remember people like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and John Lewis to name the smallest few is just a slight part of the recognition into what Black History Month is designed to put into the spotlight. But the spotlight, just as importantly, is about the continuation of the image they had in mind. To promote the upliftment of community, donation, care and historic relevance is what Black History month is all about.