Black History Month

Another Black History Month has come to a close. Perhaps it brought new knowledge to you, too. Recently I shared the stories of Frazier Baker, George Dinning, and Claudette Colvin, three Black heroes who were unknown to me before this month. I am grateful for the heightened exposure that Black History Month brings.

And yet.

So much more Black history was -- and still is --  outside my awareness. We did not have Black History Month when I was growing up. I remember when President Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976. But that was hardly the start. The story of Black History Month begins over 100 years ago, with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a man now known as the "Father of Black history." 

The son of formerly enslaved parents, Dr. Woodson did not go to school as a child. In fact, he did not begin his formal education until he was nearly 20. But over the next 17 years he went on to earn a Bachelor's of Literature from Berea College in Kentucky, bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Chicago, and, in 1912, a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, becoming only the second African American to earn a Harvard doctoral degree.

Three years later, in 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He did so because he recognized the scarcity of information about Black contributions to both American and world civilization. Under his leadership, the Association fostered the work of Black scholars and historians. Its Journal of Negro History (now the Journal of African American History) was founded in 1916, followed by the Negro History Bulletin  (now the Black History Bulletin) in 1937. From these roots, what we now know as Black History Month grew.

It was Dr. Woodson, through the ASNLH, who conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The first celebration was in February 1926, during the week that includes the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, both within the Black community and among progressive Whites. Black history clubs formed, and teachers prepared lessons for their classes. By the time of Woodson's death in 1950, mayors across the country were issuing proclamations in observance of Negro History Week.

25 years later, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week.  The ASALH expanded the commemoration to Black History Month in 1976, and on February 10,1976 President Ford issued the first Message on the Observance of Black History Month.

It would be ten years more before Congress passed the first law declaring a "Black (Afro-American) History Month," in honor of the 60th anniversary of Negro History Week, and another ten years before Presidents would take up the tradition of issuing an annual proclamation for National African American History Month. This year's  Proclamation again observes Black History Month, following President Biden's February 1 statement on Black History Month.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, I was not aware of Negro History Week. In the public schools I attended, my teachers and virtually all of my classmates were also White. For us, February was essentially "Presidents' Month," when we celebrated the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. I learned about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Mary McLeod Bethune, and George Washington Carver not in my history lessons, but by reading the biographies I eagerly collected during our library time each week.

I am grateful that my children had a different experience, and that so much rich information and so many opportunities and resources are widely available now, particularly during Black History Month. Personally, I found it impossible to keep up with everything these past several weeks, but I especially appreciated the series "28 Days of Black History," which includes essays, reflection questions, and resources regarding Black history, art, and culture, with a special emphasis on Black LGBTQ leaders and Black leaders with disabilities. You can find an archive here, and the most recent posts  here and here. 

Black History Month 2021 is ending, but Black history is American history and global history; every day is Black history day. It's on us to make sure that these truths are honored, starting with our own awareness and education. One option is to join ASALH, which includes a digital subscription to all its journals and publications, or by visiting its website often for updates and information.

We can also follow up with our local schools. Do they incorporate Black history and Black studies into the regular curriculum, or is it only discussed during Black History Month? Are Black authors included in literature classes and other class syllabi? Are current events taught through a multi-racial lens?Who plans the curriculum? Are BIPOC voices heard in that process? We owe it to all our children to ask these questions and to press for satisfactory answers.

There is no shortage of ways to help ensure that progress continues, from signing on to the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, to patronizing local Black-owned businesses and brands, to subscribing to free daily e-mail newsletters from the Anti-Racism Daily (donations and paid subscriptions necessary and welcome!); over the past three days, the newsletter has focused on ways to diversify education.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I do see some bright spots, and I'll turn to them next. For now, we can study and celebrate Black history and Black achievements not only during February, but every day of the year.

Love,

Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma