Happy Black History Month!
Black History Month may occur in the shortest month on the calendar, a joke occasionally told from one Black brother or sister to another. However, for African Americans, it’s still OUR month.
It’s that time each year when Americans are invited to celebrate the history and culture of African Americans; and each year since its formative days, Black History Month has become a moment of reflection and rejoicing.
Black historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a leader in the academic pursuit of African American studies, chose February because it includes the birth of two men who changed life for Black people during the pivotal 19th century and opened doors that had long been locked shut: President Abraham Lincoln (Feb.12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 20)
Dr. Woodson wanted Black people to be proud of their heritage and to see themselves as more than just former slaves, former property. He hoped that African Americans could be energized and more confident after hearing about the contributions made by Blacks both on the African continent and here in America.
Many of these tales of triumph were omitted from America’s standard texts. But the griots of the past and present have kept their stories alive.
So, what are your plans during Black History Month? Are you attending events that highlight African American achievements, sacrifices and the uncanny ability to “make a way out of no way?”
Perhaps you’ve decided to attend a concert that will pay homage to the hymns and spirituals that helped our ancestors believe that despite the hardships they faced, there would be brighter days.
Celebrating Black History Month can be as simple as sitting down with young people and reading them stories about the amazing litany of African American heroes and sheroes.
Finally, for African Americans, celebrating Black History Month should include recognizing that even our mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents and great-grandparents, and our longtime best friends have a place in history – our history.
But to maintain that place of reverence which they have earned, especially those who have departed this earth and gone on to glory, their names must continue to be spoken. So we must continue to tell the story – our story.
We must always remember and retell the story just the way it was and not allow anyone to try to erase, revise, eliminate or step on our history. For indeed, we are a tremendous people.
It’s Black History Month – celebrate!