While the month of February is often recognized as a celebration of our “valentine”--
a time to express our love to those we hold dear to our hearts -- it is a month of much more substance than a tacky saying scribbled on a paper heart. February is Black History Month, a month-long commemoration of the achievements and contributions made by African Americans throughout history. It is a time in which our country can reflect upon and appreciate more than four hundred years of Black heritage, accomplishment, and history; a history that society has neglected and marginalized for far too long.
This past summer, the nation demanded racial justice while exposing the systemic racism, inherent discrimination towards people of color throughout various facets of society, that exists within the American criminal justice system. The brutal murder of George Floyd on May 25 of 2020 at the hands of police officers prompted a national uproar; protests developed across the nation (and globe) as people from all walks of life called for an immediate change in a clearly prejudiced society.
The protests of this summer reflect a changing nation. Actively understanding, acknowledging, and advocating for the importance of Black History is essential to a growing society in 2021. To truly achieve the equal and unprejudiced society that America should be, it is imperative that Black History -- a history that has positively influenced and shaped the nation -- is not only accepted, but celebrated. The first step to attaining this is education.
Carter G. Woodson, a name that warrants more discussion, was a man of many notable titles: an accomplished author, historian, Harvard scholar and graduate, Ph.D., and journalist. Later in his life, Woodson received a new title: the creator of Black History Month and the “Father of Black History”. After coming to the sad realization that the American education system had omitted many significant African American figures and accomplishments from the curriculum, in 1926, Woodson proposed a national week dedicated to educating students on Black history. Following the historical civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, in 1976, fifty years after Woodson’s proposition and twenty-six years after his death, President Gerald Ford decided to extend the week of Black history to a full month in February.
Frederick Douglass, a renowned abolitionist, and Abraham Lincoln, a president who dedicated his life to fighting for the abolition of slavery, were born in the month of February. Woodson originally intended for his proposed Black History week to coincide with the birthdays of the two eminent figures. The first day of February also marks the anniversary of the establishment of the 13th Amendment in 1865 -- National Freedom Day -- which formally abolished slavery and granted African Americans freedom. As a month of important historical moments for African Americans, it is only right that February is recognized as Black History Month.
Each February Black History Month is designated a particular theme designed to call the attention of the public to specific developments in Black history. This year the theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”, focusing on and celebrating African American families and the African diaspora. This theme highlights the adversity and perseverance of Black families throughout history.
For decades, Black history has been tainted by a racist society and its value has been lost. Black History Month aims to educate about the injustices that people of color have faced throughout American history, while also paying homage to the achievements and contributions of African Americans that have been dismissed by society in the past. While there is still much work to be done in our nation to attain racial equality, recognizing and celebrating Black History Month is undeniably a step in the right direction.
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