Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Black History Month has become one of the most celebrated cultural heritage months on the calendar. February marks and recognizes celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice.
How did Black History Month start?
It began as a way of remembering , honoring African Americans and events in the history of the African diaspora. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson known as the “Father of Black History,” and other prominent African Americans He recognized that the American education system offered very little information about the accomplishments of African Americans and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson believed that it was essential for young African Americans to understand and be proud of their heritage.
By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. ”Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
Why Black History Month in February?
Woodson chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, a famed abolitionist who escaped from slavery, and President Abraham Lincoln, who formally abolished slavery. Feb. 1 is also National Freedom Day, the anniversary of the approval of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865. Richard R. Wright, who was enslaved and became a civil rights advocate and author, lobbied for the celebration of the day, (CNN reported, citing the National Constitution Center). Although the day is not federal holiday, President Harry Truman recognized National Freedom Day in 1949 and urged citizens to pause to contemplate its significance.
Leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman, and many others, have left a mark on American history that has changed the course for many social justice revolutions across the nation. African-American role models have charted new courses in black excellence, helping to create history!
The Black History Month 2021 theme, is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States. It was chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Black History Month 2021:The only way forward is through, together
Experts say understanding Black history and learning more about systemic racism is essential as the country faces backlash to civil rights activism like the George Floyd protests. Definitely Black Lives Matter encouraged people to learn about other movements that came before. It’s central to to understanding that black oppression still exists today.
Intrinsically Black History Month is a substantial evidence that continues to serve us well. In part because Woodson’s creation is as much about today as it is about the past. Experiencing Black History Month every year reminds us that history is not dead or distant from our lives. Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future The Continuing Importance of Black History Month.
There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.
By Alizé Utteryn 02/01/2021
Sources * Lonnie Bunch.Director of the Smithsonian Institution;
CNN, NACCP, National Museum of African American History and Culture
