The Black Experience: Why?
Black History: The Inception
Carter Goodwin. Woodson, the founder of the Association for The Study of African American Life and History and the creator of Black History Month believed, "that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country. He strongly believed that Black history – which others have tried so diligently to erase – is a firm foundation for young Black Americans to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society."
The importance of black history and why it should be celebrated beyond February!
In 1925, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson, known as the "Father of Black History," had a bold idea.
That year, he announced "Negro History Week" -- a celebration of a people that many in this country at the time believed had no place in history.
The response to the event, first celebrated in February 1926, a month that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, was overwhelming -- as educators, scholars and philanthropists stepped forward to endorse the effort. Fifty years later, coinciding with the nation's bicentennial and in the wake of the civil rights movement, the celebration was expanded to a month after President Gerald R. Ford decreed a national observance.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/importance-black-history-celebrated-february/story?id=68618746
Shining the Light of Truth: Teaching Black History All Year Long!
Among my own students, 55% are white and the next largest group is African American. But whatever the racial makeup in a school, ALL of our students need Black history.
Source: https://www.middleweb.com/41152/why-students-need-black-history-all-year/
Why Black History Matters Today: A Historian’s Perspective!
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history,” wrote Carter G. Woodson, who’s known as the father of black history. In 1926, Woodson created Negro History Week, a predecessor of Black History Month.
Source: https://www.ucf.edu/news/why-black-history-matters-today-a-historians-perspective/
Teaching Black History in Culturally Responsive Ways!
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Infuse Black history into the curriculum year-round: Tom Joyner, the recently retired syndicated radio host, used the phrase “Black history 365 days a year” to mean that Black history isn’t a gimmick meant for one month out of the year, with a student assembly or a potluck dinner with traditional Black foods. Black history is American history. Students should learn throughout the year and throughout all disciplines about the accomplishments, experiences, and perspectives of Black people.
Source: https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-black-history-culturally-responsive-ways
The Reason Black History Month Is in February!
"Black History Month shouldn’t be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history, or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington, or from some of our sports heroes," President Barack Obama said in a 2016 speech. "It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. It’s a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go."
Source: https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a26077992/why-is-black-history-month-in-february/
