If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.
—Carter G. Woodson, PhD
Black History Month is one of several racial/ethnic heritage months that we celebrate in the U.S. We also celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage in May, Caribbean American Heritage in June, Hispanic Heritage from September 15 to October 15, and Native American Heritage in November. I am sure there are others. I think it's important to place special emphasis on the histories and contributions of the many ethnic groups represented in this country. When we don't, we tend to overlook the beauty of our diverse cultural perspectives—and almost assume that we all think alike and begin to hold each other to certain expectations and standards that if they are not met we feel justified in our expressions of hate or apathy toward each other's struggles and experiences.
If your American history book was anything like mine, you know that its content was hardly proportionately reflective of the cultures that actually made up the history it talked about. Out of three hundred pages, there may have been one or two pages each for some minority groups and a few lines of text for others. Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean. We can't leave it up to our schooling or what we see in a news headline to tell us what we need to know about our neighbor or coworker who is from a different ethnic or cultural background from ours. Each of our stories have much more texture than that.
Sometimes when we see something promoting an activity focused on another race or culture, we assume it has nothing to do with us, but we can use these activities as opportunities to counteract some of the indifference, inordinate fear, and prejudice we all harbor at times by getting to know each other and our histories a little better. We can see them as a collective challenge to reach outside of our comfy-cozy sameness and gain deeper context and appreciation for the diversity all around us.
The How and Why of Black History Month
This month is Black History Month or African American History Month. A time in the year for remembrance of important events and people in the history of the African diaspora, it began in 1926 as Negro History Week. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded this focus on black history in the month of February because the month contains both Frederick Douglass's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. The son of a slave, Woodson earned his doctorate from Harvard University in 1912 and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915—now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). His life's work was dedicated to educating "all people about the vast contributions made by black men and women throughout history." For this, he is fondly known as the father of black history.
As a result of his work, "black history clubs sprang up; teachers demanded materials to instruct their pupils; and progressive whites, not simply white scholars and philanthropists, stepped forward to endorse the effort," and by 1976 Negro History Week became Black History Month.
Every celebration of either Negro History Week or Black History Month has carried an annual theme. This year's theme is "A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture." For a full list of Black History Month themes visit the ASALH website.
Black history is a significant part of American history, from the horrors of chattel slavery to the victories of the Civil Rights Movement to right now and into the future. America was built in many ways on the labor and service of black Americans, and more than just black people benefited from the work of our fight for justice and equal rights.
Ways to Join in the Celebration
- Read a book—fiction or nonfiction—about African American life in America. What I'm currently reading: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkinson and Black Wall Street by Hannibal Johnson. And just for fun and great insight on being black in America from a non-American black author, I suggest one of the best fiction books I've read on race and class in America: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
- Watch a movie or documentary on black history. My recommendations: Selma, The African Americans, or The Book of Negroes
- Attend a lecture, play, or art exhibit on black history at your local college, university, library, or art museum.
- Have a meaningful conversation with a mature black American about their experiences in America.
What other suggestions do you have for how to remember black history? How will you celebrate Black History Month this year?
References
Mary Bellis, "The Origins of Black History Month: The Role of Carter G. Woodson," About.com.
"February Is African American History Month," AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth.com.