BLack History month
In this article, Phoenix talks about why Black History Month is celebrated and how it came to be.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
By Sir Phoenix C. Robinson
By Sir Phoenix C. Robinson
It’s February, which means that Black History Month has officially begun. While many people know what Black History Month is, many more ask why Black History Month is even a thing. In order to answer why Black History Month is a thing, here is the story of how it came to be.
A man by the name of Dr. Carter G. Woodson is recognized as the founder of Black History Month, originally starting with Black History Week in 1926. According to the NAACP, he chose the second week of February because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Later on, his idea was expanded from a week to a month. In addition to being a key contributor to Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was also the founder of the Association for the Study of African-American History and Life and the second African-American in history to achieve a doctorate.
Photo Credit: National Park Services, image of Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Black History Week became widespread in America during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement as colleges and universities began recognizing the practice. After the Association for the Study of African American Life and History had urged President Gerald R. Ford, President Ford issued a proclamation that February was Black History Month in addition to starting a tradition of the presidential message for Black History Month. The Ford Archives states that the first of these messages was issued on Feb. 10, 1976.
Photo Credit: Ford Archives, image of President Ford's Letter About Black History Month
As for the purpose of Black History Month, the ASALH, the founders of Black History Month, claim that the goal isn't to grant some sort of special privilege or to shun other groups. The purpose of Black History Month is to preserve, promote, and encourage the research of the contributions of Black people to America and the world.
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