The Reason for Black History Month: A Look at the History and Significance of Black History Month

Great morning, good people. It’s February. And that means Black History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and history of black Americans. It’s a time to consider our achievements in the face of adversity and discrimination, but also acknowledge that there’s still work left to do, a bunch of work if I’m paying attention to current events.

Even though a single month is grossly inadequate to the task, why do we have a Black History Month? What is its significance? And what impact has it had on American society? In this post, we’ll take a look at the history and significance of Black History Month and at a couple things youcan do with your family to acknowledge and celebrate our history in this hemisphere.

Black History month began as Negro History Week, and was started by Carter G Woodson, an African American historian who wanted people tounderstand the importance of the African American experience in America. He chose the second week of February because it coincided with both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays.

Carter G Woodson was born to parents who were former slaves. After completing high school, he attended college at the University of Chicago,where he earned his Ph.D. in history. Woodson was passionate about black history and believed that it should be taught in schools alongside white American history. In 1926, Carter G Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, an organization that stillexists today.

Woodson believed that black history was integral to American history, and he worked tirelessly to get Negro History Week recognized as anational holiday. His efforts paid off in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month.

So what is the significance of Black History Month? Well, for one, it helps to ensure that black history is not ignored or marginalized in American society. It also provides a time for people of all races to come together and learn about the African American experience, an experience notwidely understood by others. We are human first before anything else, so learning about others helps us to understand and accept each other.

Black History Month is celebration of our rich history as black people. It’s an acknowledgement that we have been under-represented and marginalized throughout American history. And it’s a call to action for all black Americans, young and old alike, to continue to fight for our rights and to uphold the legacy of those who have come before us. Black History Month is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made, and torecommit ourselves to continuing the fight for equality.

All right, so what can you do this Black History Month?

Teach your children about the African American experience in America. Have a movienight of black cinema

Visit a museum

Attend an event (there are many happening this month all over the country)

Read books by African American authors. Some recommended titles include: “The Color of Water,” “Beloved,” and “The Souls of BlackFolk.” Ask me some of my favorites.

There’s a number of things you can do, no matter what your background, to educate yourself and those around you and keep the spirit of themonth alive and healthy. It’s not a lot of work to do. It’s more of an invitation to experience a rich and vibrant culture that you might have otherwisepassed by.

Thank you for reading. I hope this post provides some insight into the history and significance of Black History Month. As always, feel free to leaveyour thoughts in the comments. Happy Black History Month!!!