A close friend of mine shared a story on her recent podcast episode about Black History Month. Her elementary-aged son, who is Black, mentioned in class that it seemed odd that Black History month was assigned the shortest month of the year. In response, a few of his classmates asked their teacher why Black History Month was even celebrated and why there wasn’t a White History Month. His teacher, who was white, told my friend’s son (and the class), that she doesn’t really place an emphasis on Black History Month because she celebrates the history of Black people every day.
Leaving it at that, the teacher went on with the lesson for the day, with no further explanation. Her short-sightedness and lack of awareness left my friend’s son quite confused, and no doubt a few of his classmates as well.
This isn’t the first time this question has been asked. I’m sure you may have or will hear it at some point coming from the mouths of your own children. And when it happens, you will need to have an answer to that question. But not just any answer, a truthful one.
The truthful answer is that the contributions of white people in history are acknowledged and celebrated every day in this country.
The reason why a special month is set aside for the contributions of black people, or any other race, is that for too long, other race’s contributions and achievements in this country have been cast aside, and in some cases intentionally left out.
Outside of a few “token” figures, there are many notable black men and women who made significant advances and contributions that are left out of our history books. There are still school districts in this country, in 2021, that allow parents to opt out their kids from being taught Black history curriculum. It is disheartening because the history of Black achievements and contributions, past and present is American history. These reasons stated and more are why Black History Month should be and needs to be recognized and celebrated.
What Is Black History Month?
The origins of Black History Month began in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in America. Carter G. Woodson, a Black Harvard historian, along with colleague and friend Jesse E. Moorland formed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and sponsored National Negro History Week to be celebrated the second week of February. They specifically chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The week would be dedicated to promoting the achievements and contributions of Black Americans and other persons of African descent in American history.
It was decades later, thanks to the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement, that Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month. As interest in Black identity and culture grew, Black History Month was acknowledged on college campuses first and then spread further. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month nationally in 1976. He urged the American public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Why Celebrate Black History Month
Since President Ford’s recognition of Black History Month in 1976, every American President since then has designated February as Black History Month and has endorsed a theme. We celebrate Black History Month because simply, the history of Black achievement and contributions IS in fact American history. And unfortunately, because these achievements and contributions have been, in some cases, intentionally left out of our education systems and history books, and because not everyone accepts the fact that black achievements and contributions are worth recognizing every day, a special time period to do so had to be established.
Black History Month is a time to learn about the history of the black community, beyond slavery and the Civil Rights movement. Black Americans, past and current, have made amazing contributions in music, fine arts, the sciences, medicine, inventions, literature, education, and more. Contributions that have greatly improved the quality of life for us all in numerous ways. Black History Month gives us the opportunity to appreciate and, in a way, to show gratitude to Black Americans, past and current, who have enriched our lives through their hard work, talent, courage, and determination to thrive in an environment that didn’t always provide the opportunity to do so.
2021 Black History Month Theme: Black Family
Every year, a theme is established for Black History Month. This year’s theme is Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. {Note: The 2022 Black History Month Theme is Black Health and Wellness.}
- REPRESENTATION: The everyday challenges that Black families face as they strive for representation and equity. Pushing back against racial micro-aggressions, institutional racism, oppression, brutality, and in some cases, violence. The resilience of Black families should be acknowledged. As the late rapper and actor Tupac Shakur was quoted as stating, “Black families are roses growing in the midst of concrete.”
- IDENTITY: The Black family has had to mobilize itself from generation to generation through individual and collective efforts of self-help and self-determination. Family, related or not related, is paramount and held in the highest regard.
- DIVERSITY: Black families can trace their ancestry across states, nations, and continents. The Black family in the US consists of a tapestry of Black ethnic heritage identities: Afro-Hispanic, Black immigrant, and interracial heritage, just to name a few. The most recent notable examples are former President, Barak Obama of Kenyan and white ancestry, and the current Vice President, Kamala Harris of Jamaican and South Indian ancestry.
During this month I encourage you to expand your knowledge of Black families through literature, art, music, and more. Widen your social circles and engage with other moms who may not look like you. Let go of any preconceived notions or negative stereotypes you may have picked up or society may have provided you with. Recognize and celebrate the achievements of the Black lives that are a part of your local community, places of worship, and your workplaces.
My hope and prayer is that in the near future there will be no need for special months to celebrate other races’ contributions and achievements. There will be no need for the question “Why celebrate Black History Month?” every February. There will be no need, because Black history will truly be recognized as American history, not only in words but in action. This may not happen in my lifetime, but I hope and pray for my children’s generation. Until that time comes, we continue to recognize, honor, and celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of Black Americans.
