Importance of Black History Month
Happy Black History Month!
Reflecting on the previous year’s events and their effect on Black culture helps prove how we as a people are resilient and powerful. Every day that has passed has shown the strength of Black culture as we continue to break barriers and boundaries while also praising the icons known and unknown throughout our Black History.
The earliest beginning of Black History Month started as Negro History Week in 1926 by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland. Woodson and Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, or the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). ASALH’s Negro History Week primarily focused on the advancements of people of African descent, extending the time of the celebration as popularity grew. American Teachers included Black history into their teaching curriculums. The revolution of the Civil Right movement brought a significant change for the celebration, causing other states around the nation to extend the celebration to the entire month of February on their own and highlighting the official recognition of the celebratory month.
Black History Month was officially celebrated in February 1976 by President Gerald Ford during the United States Bicentennial celebration. President Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Compared to the previous year, emphasis on the last two years, various parts of Black culture have increased and improved for the better. Black businesses and voices have increased and amplified around the globe. Many are continuing to break through various industries and creating areas of their own to which other people of color and younger Black generations can explore and continue to take over for generations after them.
Black history has always been worthy of celebrating beyond one short month. We are seeing a new revolution of Black voices and culture being celebrated daily. New spaces are being created and maintained because of Black culture and, more than ever, we are seeing our influence being used in front of our own eyes.
Keep shining on as we celebrate Black History every day.
References:
-https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/black-history-month-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it/
-https://www.etonline.com/black-history-month-how-it-began-and-how-to-celebrate-159566
-https://abcnews.go.com/US/importance-black-history-celebrated-february/story?id=68618746
-https://time.com/4197928/history-black-history-month/
