Impressive BSU video highlights Black History Month

Posted March 2, 2022

By Natalie Hebert

Staff Editor

In honor of Black History Month, the Black Student Union (BSU) created a video featuring DDHS’s Black student’s opinions on Black History Month, as well as a vocal performance featuring a solo by junior Korae Williams.

“[We were] acknowledging our people’s contribution, successes and resilience,” said BSU president, senior Asia Barber.

The BSU meets every Wednesday from 2:45-4:00 p.m. in room 181, learning about Black culture while discussing race related issues. BSU advisor Etema Banks has led the group since 2012. BSU members include co-presidents, Barber and senior Kaleab Bekele, co-vice presidents seniors Awek Di Piok and Ty Craig, secretary senior Nehema Kilassa treasurer senior Amira Haaji, and media representatives seniors Aysiah Clinton and Jantazha Davis.

“For me, Black History Month represents recognition,” said BSU junior Korae Williams. “It represents a time when we get to use our voices and take all 28 days of February to enlighten and represent the people before us and the people coming after us. We’re taking Black History Month and not just making it one month, we’re making it a year round thing.”

This is the first year David Douglas has offered a Black Studies course, created with the help from the BSU. Black Studies examines race and identity, educational system, Black entrepreneurs and inventors, and Oregon Black history. A lot of the material is new to people, including the teachers. Students reflect on their own race and identity, understanding how it impacts their lives. This gives them the chance to reflect on stereotypes and labeling in a certain way.

“It is really important that students have a choice in their learning and the content they want to learn,” said Black Studied teacher Chris Mathews.

The person who created Black History Month was Carter G. Woodson, a historian and the president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). In 1926 he wanted to designate a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture. That year “Negro History Week" was created for the second week of February. It was decided to be that time because it consisted of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass’ on February 14, both dates had been celebrated by the Black communities since the late 19th century.

In February 1969 Black History Month was proposed by Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University. A year later Kent State University celebrated Black History Month from January 2 to February 28. Black History Month then spread and was being celebrated by educational systems across the world. President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial.

"Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” said Ford.

Other parts of the world didn’t catch on to Black History Month as fast. In the U.K., Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987. It was celebrated in October, as part of African Jubilee Year, when on October 1 Dr. Maulana Karenga was invited to an event at County Hall to mark the contributions of Black people throughout history.

In Berlin, Germany Black History Month was first celebrated in 1990 and spread to surrounding cities. In 1995, Canada recognized Black History Month but didn’t governmentally recognize it until 2008. The Republic of Ireland didn’t initiate Black History Month until 2010.