The month of February is Black history month. This month is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the great accomplishments of Black people despite being discouraged and discriminated against. Through the trials and adversity that the Black community has faced, new aspects of Black culture and community were born. Black History Month has taken quite a while to evolve into what it is today. In order to fully understand and appreciate it, knowing the origin of Black history month is fundamental.
At first, Black history month was dubbed “Negro Histoy Week” in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Black historian who specialized in studying Black History. During the 1900s especially, Black history was often overlooked. However, Dr. Woodson was determined to change that. He aimed to bring awareness to Black struggles and amplify Black voices. Dr. Woodson was tactful when he worked towards establishing Black History month, starting with his choice to have it take place in February. His idea first arose because the birthdays of two figures that are particularly important to Black culture take place during the month of February: Fredrick Douglass, born on February 14th, and Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12th. Frederick Douglass was a Black abolitionist and civil rights activist who fought for the freedoms of his people endlessly. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which declared enslaved people in confederate states to be free. Seeing as these two played a pivotal role in changing the lives of Black people in our nation for the better, it made perfect sense to highlight their contributions during their birth month. After 50 years of observing Negro History Week, President Ford recognized Black History Month during the 1976 United States Bicentennial Ceremony.
After Black History Month was officiated, it has made significant progress, creating a wide variety of ways for people to celebrate. One way to take full advantage of this month is to take time to educate yourself on Black culture of the past and present. A great way to do this is by reading Black literature. Some popular novels written by Black authors include The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. You can also attend events that are held to celebrate Black History Month hosted by nearby towns or communities. Try to visit museums, cultural institutions, lectures, film screenings, or even art exhibits that are centered around Black creativity. Listening to Black artists such as Michael Jackson, Tupac, Prince, Darius Rucker and Jimi Hendrix can also aid you in exploring Black cultures. These artists paved the way for Black musicians in many genres, including pop, rap, rock, country, and more. Another way to dive into Black culture is to watch Black films. Films such as Selma, Woman King, Hidden Figures, Harriet, and other films that are centered around historical events are great options for celebrating Black History Month. More modern movies such as Love and Basketball, Friday, and Coming to America are also great for honoring Black History Month. Finally, you can choose to support local, Black owned businesses in your community. For example, instead of buying from a chain restaurant, eat at a Black owned restaurant near you. Instead of going to Barnes & Nobles, go to a Black owned bookstore.
Although the Black community has gained more recognition over the years, it still struggles with systemic oppression, racism, and discrimination. Taking time and care to educate yourself and appreciate Black culture regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality can help us all grow as people.
