Black History Month

The month of February is a month to commemorate the struggles, progress, and perseverance of African Americans throughout the United States’s history. We celebrate this month to not only focus on the contributions made by African Americans, but also to recognize historical events and people of African culture. 

This tradition to honor the African Anericans began after the end of the Jim Crow Era. It became an official national month of celebration in 1976. Before Black History Month existed, Carter G. Woodson, a scholar considered as the “father of Black history,” established a Black History Week, seeking to illuminate Black contributions within the civilization aspect. At the time, Woodson was the only other Black American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University, next to W.E.B Du Bois.

Ultimately, Woodson decided on February for Black History Week for two reasons. First, President Abraham Lincoln, known as “The Great Emancipator,” celebrated his birthday on February 12. Second, another great Black American, Frederick Douglass, an activist and leader in the abolitionist movement, working toward ending the practice of slavery, celebrated his birthday on February 14. 

With each year of Black History Month, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) introduces a new theme. This year’s theme is “Black resistance.” ASALH most likely chose this  theme due to the current politically charged environment about race and gun violence against Black people. 

Though the theme may come across as provocative, it instead should be viewed as reframing conversations of Black history and to further reinforce a theme of empowerment for Black people everywhere.