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Why is the celebration of black history relegated to just one month? And why is it during the shortest month of the year?
These are questions that are asked every year around this time and the answers demonstrate that there is no unfairness or conspiracy regarding this celebration.
Why do we need to celebrate Black History Month? We have to go back quite a few decades in order to answer this one. Carter G. Woodson, the "father of black history", was disturbed to find that history books largely ignored the black American population. Furthermore, when blacks were portrayed in history it was done to support the inferior status that they had been assigned. As late as the early 1900s, even though they had been in this country for centuries, blacks were still seen by many as a people without a history. Woodson made it his duty to write black Americans into the country's history.
He established what is now called the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH). The ASALH served as an organization that was responsible for collecting and preserving historical data for the creation of a "Journal of Negro History." In an effort to educate black and white Americans about black history, Woodson began sending out pamphlets and brochures to schools, journals and supportive (mostly black) newspapers. He also suggested that the country adopt a "Negro History Week" in which the accomplishments and contributions of black Americans would be recognized.
Now onto the other two questions. The second week of February was chosen as Negro History Week because it coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The weeklong celebration was expanded to a month in 1976 as part of the country's Bicentennial. This gave birth to Black History Month as we know it today. Therefore, the belief that the study of black history was purposely committed to the shortest month of the year is unfounded. It is also not an excuse to ignore black history for the remainder of the year. Instead, Black History Month is an opportunity for greater acknowledgement and appreciation of the less publicized contributions and accomplishments of blacks by all Americans. It is also an attempt to try and make up for the centuries during which black achievements were ignored.
By Roslyn Sandy
Feel free to express your views on the dicussion forum.
Should Black History Month be restricted to one month only?
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