African-American (Black) History Month 2020

By Cecilia Sarnowski '22

February 2020

February is African-American, black, History Month. In addition to Black History Month, this February marks the sesquicentennial, or the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, of the implementation of the Fifteenth Amendment, which states that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This is significant because this amendment is a major part of not only African-American history but American history. This amendment and equality has been reached because of the hard work put into this cause by people like and including Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jo Ann Robinson along with parades and protests such as “The Montgomery Bus Boycott” (1955), “The Birmingham Campaign” (1963), and “The Chicago Freedom Movement” (1965).

African culture began to appear in the Americas around 1619, in the form of slavery when 20 Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia to be sold as slaves. By the eighteenth century, approximately 6-7 million African slaves were taken to America. After the Revolutionary War, which ended in 1783, the cotton industry began to grow, promoting the use of slavery in fields. It wasn’t until the early years of the nineteenth century that historians saw the major rebellion of these slaves. Not only was it outrageous that these people were rebelling against slavery and fighting for their freedom, but they were also led by a woman, Harriett Tubman.

Thirty years later the civil war broke out. Northern states fought Southern states for the freedom of African Americans who would gain their freedom with the help of President Lincoln. Even though our sixteenth president declared the freedom of all slaves, the Confederate states stayed strong in their ways. After many years, slavery dwindled to nothing.

By the 1880s, southern states were “Separate but Equal”, under the Jim Crow Laws. Meaning that there were white and black schools, entrances, drinking fountains, and restaurants. Although all races were declared equal, all races were not treated as equals.

Until and even after 1965, when The Voting Rights Act of 1965 declared that all people must receive equal voting rights no matter race, gender, or ethnicity, there were uproars within the government and society from white people and black people who would voice their opinions on the rights of all people.

Today we are all declared equal as citizens of the United States. We are all given the right to vote, the right to property, the right to voice our opinions, the right of religion, to follow one if we please or to not have religion at all. also given the right to life, liberty, and property. No matter our race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or our stance in society, rich or poor, we are all equal in the eyes of America.