Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, has been celebrated annually during the month of February in the U.S. since 1976. Other countries, such as Canada and the U.K., also have a designated month for Black History every year. Some people question why we still continue this tradition. Is it contributing positively to our society or is it only segregating us further? Is it “racist” to have a Black History Month, but not a white history month?
Black History Month is all about celebrating and memorializing the things that black people have achieved throughout the past. It highlights all of the amazing contributions black people have made. It is hoping to provide recognition to the black people who have been a central role in the making of our history. What could possibly be wrong about that? I don’t see a problem. Just because you are celebrating one race’s accomplishments doesn’t automatically mean that you are working against other races. You can support black people without trashing white people. Advocacy for black history doesn’t mean you are “anti-white”. Are white people simply mad that there is a whole month dedicated to celebrating blacks? Are we really that obviously racist? Is this another form of “All Lives Matter”? Yes, it is. There is an outcry simply because black lives appear to matter even just for a month.
Black History Month started out as “Negro History Week”. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded an organization called “the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History”. This organization had a purpose for researching and promoting achievements accomplished by black Americans. This group sponsored the very first “Negro History Week” in 1926. The week fell on the second week of February so that it coincided with Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. That was the birth of the first ever national celebration of black people and black lives. This directly lead to communities nationwide to begin to organize events, celebrations, performances, teachings, and lectures all about black history. “Negro History Week” was commemorated annually throughout the nation during the years that followed.
When the Civil Rights Movement hit, along with a growth of awareness for black people’s identity and liberty, the celebratory week turned into a month. Thus Black History Month was born. It was created out of good intentions and the meaning of black people’s lives in mind. It was not created out of spite or hate, but out of remembrance and honor. President Gerald R. Ford first officially spoke about Black History Month when he called 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.” This shows that even the President of the United States could realize that black people’s lives and achievements weren’t being given the respect and recognition they deserve. Black people have contributed so much to our country, society, history, culture, and nearly every other aspect of our lives.
Many people associate black history with slavery. It is true that much of the American history of black people’s lives does include slavery, racism, and unfair treatment. Black people have achieved so much more than just being slaves though. They are more than their oppression. They represent more than racism. Black history has been so largely ignored by historians, educators, and even common people. Even black lives have a certain neglect attached to them still. Black History Month is not only appreciated, but also much needed. In our past, black history has been misrepresented, misinterpreted, or even missing entirely. It is time we put an end to that. We should encourage education about black people’s lives, achievements, and history because black lives are not shameful and they don’t belong in the shadows any longer. Click on this link to watch a 3 minute long video about the origins of Black History Month: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month/videos/origins-of-black-history-month .
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