February is Black History Month! It is a month-long celebration to honor and respect the achievements and history of African-Americans. From colonial times at Jamestown to present-day United States, the journey for Black People has been a long one.
Americans celebrate Black History Month every February. This stems back to a man named Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. This group established that the second week of February would be a time for Americans to reflect on African-Americans’ contributions to history. The month of February is significant because it includes the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln.
The recognition expanded when, in 1976, President Gerald Ford declared the whole month of February as Black History Month. This was a monumental step forward for the country to take. Ford said he was striving to, “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
When reflecting on this month, it is important to put a spotlight on the many figures that made history. To name a few, Harriet Tubman was a notable figure who helped enslaved people escape to freedom with the Underground Railroad. While most known for this, she also was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage, a nurse, and a Union spy. Rosa Parks was a strong advocate for the civil rights of Black People. She played a crucial role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat. Her action caused ripples of waves in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man celebrated annually by Americans on the third Monday of January, fought hard for the rights of Black Americans, specifically in the 1950s and 1960s. He gave many speeches, one of his most famous being his “I Have a Dream Speech”, which reflected on his dream for a world where everyone, regardless of skin color, race, ethnicity, or background, lived in peace and harmony together. He dreamt of an end to racism and a guarantee of civil rights to all Black Americans like him. Barack Obama, a more recent figure, is also spotlighted during this month for becoming the first-ever African-American U.S. president in 2008!
In recent years, “Black Lives Matter” campaigns have been going strong. People have joined together in an effort to end violence and discrimination against African-Americans. Especially during this month, the ideals of this campaign are highlighted. In January 2021, “Black Lives Matter” was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness of racial injustice.
This month is incredibly important because it allows for an ongoing discussion and encourages the recognition and reflection of the accomplishments of African-Americans year-round.
