Black History Month is the remembrance of important people and events in the history of African-Americans. It was created to focus attention on black people, and their contributions to the United States. Black History Month is from February 1st to March 1st and was first celebrated when Congress passed public law 99-244, marking February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.”
Miss Davis, one of our few African-American teachers here at Harding, expressed her opinion over some questions about Black History Month. After being asked whether or not she celebrates BHM, she responded with, “My brother and I participate in what we call “Black Friday” where we choose a different black owned business to support or visit every Friday during the month of February.” Davis then goes on to say that they do this all year round, but make a special emphasis to “support” and “uplift” the black community during the month of February. Miss Davis, as well as many others from HHS, believe that Harding should shine more of a spotlight on Black History Month and well as their African-American students and staff. “Black History is American History!” She also thinks, “it’s important today's generation of students are able to accurately retell these stories and keep this history alive.”
What does Black History mean to you? Miss Davis answers this question with, “To me, Black History is a reminder of the resiliency of our ancestors. Despite the trials, tribulations and setbacks, the things they’ve been able to accomplish have been life changing to the world we know today. I think the work they've done, and the work we continue to do today deserves to be celebrated and recognized. I also think it's important that while we celebrate, we also acknowledge that there is still work to be done.”
Believe it or not, Black History Month was actually Black History Week, at one point. In 1915, Carter G. Woodson, a African-American Harvard-educated historian, and Jesse Moorland, a caucasian American minister, founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (an organization dedicated to the study/appreciation of black history). That organization then created “Negro History Week” in 1926, which influenced schools and communities to celebrate and host performances as well as lectures. Negro History Week was at first celebrated the second week of February, because that is the week of both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass’ birthdays. As we should all know, Lincoln was the President that paved the way for the abolition of slavery with his Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass was an escaped slave turned activist and author, and an eminent leader in the abolitionist movement to end slavery. Eventually, the week was turned into a month after the civil rights movement of the 1960s which was the abolishment of legalized institutional racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement throughout the United States. This helped elevate Negro History Week to national prominence. In 1976, President Gerald Ford, finally made things official by proclaiming February to be Black History Month. Whether it seems like a small thing or not, going from a single week to an entire month, shows that equality was in the works during this period in time.
With all this being said, celebrate who you are, as well as what you’ve accomplished. If you are an ally, recognize your peers and join them in celebration of what they have achieved!
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