Daniel L. Bamberg
Daniel@centrevillepress.com
It began in 1926, and was then known as Negro History Week. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History created the observance in order to honor two individuals he considered to greatly improve the lives and social conditions of the African-Americans, President Abraham Lincoln and slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglas. Yes, in truth one of the first persons honored by what has become Black History Month was not black at all. In 1976 after members of a fraternity at Howard University promoted turning the week into an entire month, it became so.
After the civil rights movement and the groundbreaking of de-segregation black history eventually became a very mainstream idea. With that a lot of miseducation has been presented. During the time of segregation black history was taught extensively in black schools as a means for those persons to understand their own background. While many of the most often observed individuals during Black History Month come from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, there was much to honor before then. There were
influential poets, scholars, inventors, athletes, politicians, musicians, and individuals from every walk of life who were recognized annually during the segregation-period's week of observation. Sadly many of those honored then have not become as influential in the post-segregation period. While the works of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama are important and certainly adequate with the traditions of Black History. Many today however, are not as familiar with the struggle that inspired the great movement of the 1960s.
With racism's wall being chipped away little by little each passing year some feel there is no real need in Black History Month. Many further believe continuing the observance promotes division rather than unity. Rather inaccurately, many believe the idea of taking away Black History Month lies exclusively with racists of non-black origins. Well-known African-American actor, Morgan Freeman has openly expressed his own dislike for the continuation of the celebration. "Black history is American history. The only way to end racism is stop talking about it. The shallow ritual of Black History Month seems to suggest that black history and American History are separate. There isn't a White History Month," suggests Freeman. Those comments have gotten Freeman into some trouble with certain organizations. He further expressed his disdain of separatists speak during an interview with Mike Wallace where he stopped the reporter from calling him black. "I'm going to stop calling you a white man and I am going to ask you to stop calling me a black man." Other lesser known African-American figures have agreed with Freeman's remarks. Meanwhile, many others respect Freeman's statements but believe the preservation of Black History is kept in order to honor those African-Americans that were not alive beyond the days of the struggle.
Whether or not Black History Month is relevant today, is certainly given to the opinion of each individual. This is now the second year Barack Obama will be recognized as the first African-American President. His inauguration has placed a face on something today's adults couldn't predict while observing black history in school. Who would be the first black President was something discussed regularly in those days. His election has reached the summit of the mountain climbed by every individual we celebrated and honored in February before 2009. So as we look back at the struggle, as we consider all which has been overcome let us reflect on those within our own communities, which are continuing to help obliterate that line between black and white.
Throughout the month of February The Centreville Press will honor African-Americans within out own community, which have exemplified Bibb County in Bibb "Out of the Box."
No comments:
Post a Comment