100 Years of Black History Month: Legacy, Commemoration, and Resistance

The Genesis of Black History Month

• 💡 Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a historian and journalist, founded Negro History Week in 1926 to intentionally teach Black children and communities about their history.
• 🗓️ Woodson chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12th) and Frederick Douglass (February 14th), already celebrated by Black families.
• 📚 Woodson's book, "The Miseducation of the Negro," highlighted his concern for how Black children were educated within the school system.

Evolution and Expansion of Observance

• 🚀 Negro History Week evolved into Black History Week and then Black History Month, gaining official recognition in 1976 during the bicentennial year.
• 🎯 Dr. Woodson intended for Negro History Week to be a year-round focus, emphasizing the entire story of Black people beyond slavery and specific institutions.
• 🌉 The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), founded by Woodson in 1915, has consistently championed Black history and set annual themes.

The Importance of Black History as American History

• 🇺🇸 Black history is American history, integral to understanding the nation's narrative and contributions.
• 🏗️ This includes acknowledging the foundational role of Black labor in building the nation and the establishment of capitalism.
• ✊ Black people have actively participated in and fought in every war since the Revolutionary War, contributing significantly to American society.

Challenges and Resistance in Historical Narratives

• 🧱 White supremacy has historically attempted to erase or marginalize Black history, often relegating it to the sidelines of curricula.
• ⚔️ The classroom is a battleground where narratives shape how young people perceive themselves and their place in American history.
• 📸 In the face of content removal from government websites, there's a critical need to document and preserve Black history for future generations.

Honoring Unsung Figures and Continued Advocacy

• 🌟 Figures like William Wells Brown, an early anti-slavery lecturer and novelist, and Elizabeth Jennings, who fought for desegregated streetcar travel, are highlighted.
• 🤝 The Rosenwald Schools, built in partnership with Booker T. Washington, and the legal work of Pauli Murray and Constance Baker Motley are recognized for their profound impact.
• 🌱 ASALH encourages active participation through daily acts of resistance, such as learning and sharing one new fact about Black history daily, and supporting Black organizations and press.