Black History Importance Essay
African american history essay.
My idea of slavery is, that it is one of the blackest, the wickedest things everywhere in the world. When you tell them the truth, they whip you to make you lie. I have taken more lashes for this, than for any other thing, because I would not lie.One day I set the table, and forgot to put on the carving-fork - the knife was there. I went to the table to put it on a plate. My master said, - "Where is the fork?" I told him "I forgot it." He says, - "You d - d black b - , I'll forget you!" - at the same time hitting me on the head with the carving knife. The blood spurted out - you can see. (Here the woman removed her turban and showed a circular cicatrices denuded of hair, about an inch in diameter, on the top of her head.) My mistress took me into the kitchen and put on camphor, but she could not stop the bleeding. A doctor was sent for. He came but asked no questions. I was frequently punished with raw hides - was hit with tongs and poker and anything. I used when I went out, to look up at the sky, and say, "Blessed Lord, oh, do take me out of this!" It seemed to me I could not bear another lick. I can't forget it. I sometimes dream that I am pursued, and when I wake, I am scared almost to death.{Benjamin Drew was a Boston abolitionist who
African American History Is A Vital Part Of The United States
All histories are an important subject to teach in every academic levels; however, African American history is a vital part of the United States. America would not be the country she is today without the accomplishments of the slaves and founding African American scholars. Slavery brought about incredible trials and established perseverance with the African American population that future generations need to know about and learn from. History teaches us our errors and our successes; furthermore, it helps us determine our future directions. Throughout history there were countless African American leaders, Godly examples and heroes. It is the duty of all generations to teach about these men and women. There is a wealth of knowledge that all people, in all walks of life, and at all ages needs to learn. No matter what race a child is today, they need to know and understand what their ancestors went through, how they lived, more importantly what they did to not only survive but to thrive (Holt & Brown, 2000).
The Importance of African-American Studies Essay
The aspect of African-American Studies is key to the lives of African-Americans and those involved with the welfare of the race. African-American Studies is the systematic and critical study of the multidimensional aspects of Black thought and practice in their current and historical unfolding (Karenga, 21). African-American Studies exposes students to the experiences of African-American people and others of African descent. It allows the promotion and sharing of the African-American culture. However, the concept of African-American Studies, like many other studies that focus on a specific group, gender, and/or creed, poses problems. Therefore, African-American Studies must overcome the obstacles in order to
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During my early years of school, I remember being taught white accomplishments and wondering if blacks and other people of color had made any significant contributions to today's world. I noticed that television consist of all white people. Throughout my research paper I hope to cover certain aspects of African American heritage. Aspects such as blacks making up the largest minority group in the United States, although Mexican-Americans are rapidly changing that. The contributions blacks have provided to our country are immeasurable. Unfortunately though rather than recognizing these contributions, white America would rather focus on oppressing and degrading these people. As a consequence American
African American Contributions To The Civil Rights Movement
African American history plays an important role in American history not only because the Civil Rights Movement, but because of the strength and courage of African-Americans struggled to live a good life in America. This paper highlights the many contributions of African Americans that have influenced the culture, enriched the society with their achievements, and shaped the history of the United States.
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Slavery began in the late 16th century to early 18th century. Africans were brought to American colonies by white masters to come and work on their plantations in the South. They were treated harshly with no payments for all their hard work. In addition, they lived under harsh living conditions, and this led to their resistance against these harsh conditions. The racism towards the African Americans who were slaves was at its extreme as they did not have any rights; no civil nor political rights.
The Legacy Of African Americans
African Americans have endured many trials and tribulations over the centuries. Our people have suffered from war, violence, and anguish simply because of the color of our skin. Our history has been so blatantly missing from textbooks and the K-12th grade educational atmosphere. Our educational system continues to neglect the history of our African American ancestors and fail to provide them with the educational resources to inform them of our past and allow them to learn about the true origins of our culture. We have made many significant contributions to the world but those have also been highly ignored as well.
Events Of African American History Essay
Why are the following events so important to America’s history? The events that include Brown V. Board of education, Emmet Till, Little Rock Nine, Freedom Summer, Chicago in the 1950’s, were all very important events to occur before a movement that was not necessarily alive, yet. These events were all important because of how they would start the momentum of the Civil Rights movement that would give African Americans the simple rights that any white man has. These events shared things in common such as the simple fact that they all involved African Americans pressing for rights that they deserved. All of these events whether they be positive or negative would be beneficial to the Civil Rights movement.
Essay On African American Studies
African American Studies is a very complex subject. To confuse African American studies with black history is a common occurrence. African American studies is much deeper and more profound than just Black history alone. There are many unanswered and unasked questions among the Black American culture which causes confusion and misunderstanding in modern day society. In unit one there were many themes, concepts, and significant issues in the discipline of Africana studies. Both W.E.B Du Bois and Vivian V. Gordan touched on many concerns.
Black Nationalism Essay
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Throughout history, African Americans have encountered an overwhelming amount of obstacles for justice and equality. You can see instances of these obstacles especially during the 1800’s where there were various forms of segregation and racism such as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan terrorism, Jim- Crow laws, voting restrictions. These negative forces asserted by societal racism were present both pre and post slavery. Although blacks were often seen as being a core foundation for the creation of society and what it is today, they never were given credit for their work although forced. This was due to the various laws and social morals that were sustained for over 100 years throughout the United States. However, what the world didn’t
Black History Should Not Be Celebrated
February is the time of Valentines Day and the occasional leap year, but many people know it as Black History Month. Black History Month is one of the only national holidays in the United States of America that is for the acknowledgement and honour of African Americans in this its history. It is the time of the year when great African American figures are given praise and taught as “black history” in the school curriculum. Though its intentions are to celebrate accomplished African-Americans and their contributions, it is a poor method of sharing and learning black history. Black History Month should not be celebrated because it separates African American history from American history and belittles it by only giving it the shortest month of the year where its significance in, and influence, on this nation can be recognized and acknowledged.( "Brands: Black History Month Is Best Celebrated Year-round." Brands: Black History Month Is Best Celebrated Year-round. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015. <http://www.campaignlive.com/article/brands-black-history-month-best-celebrated-year-round/1333990>.)
Black History Reflective Essay
Upon graduating high school, I thought I knew everything there was to Black History. We were captured from Africa, forced into slavery for hundreds of years all around the world, became free with repercussions such as discrimination and segregation, and now today we are “officially free”. The Black history I knew, was scattered and filled with holes, which caused me to question my sense of worth. Why were African-Americans the most oppressed people in the world?
Essay On Black Lives Matters
Today in the United States of America, there are many different people from many different ethnic backgrounds. The Black Lives Matters movement is stirring up racial separation, rather than promoting reasonable solutions. Their dishonest anti-police views are causing police everywhere to second guess themselves.
Research Paper On Being African Americans
Despite the large amount of stereotypes and disdain held for black people, being African American is something that I have become extremely proud of. My deep seeded pride stems from the accomplishments of my ancestors and the immense amount of responsibility placed on my shoulders as a black person. As a people, African Americans have endured and persevered through a large part of history where they have been mistreated and exploited by others countries. Therefore, when I look back at the lives of my ancestors, I am humbled, as I see the enormous amount of perseverance and fortitude needed to get through through the times they lived through. Moreover, I am astonished when I look at their accomplishments such as the White House, the Washington
The Black Freedom Struggle For Equality Essay
The black freedom struggle has not yet come to an end – there are still prejudiced and racist radicals that try to negotiate white supremacy and dominance in order to prevent the blacks from their long wait for equality. Consequently, the movement has progressed very sluggishly in the past few centuries. Nevertheless, the campaign for equal rights has led to the triumph over slavery and has led to the accrual of suffrage rights. However, this is still not enough, not after centuries of enslavement, lynching, segregation, and discrimination. Oftentimes, there is still no justice in court houses, especially when black people are accused and convicted, even for the simplest of crimes – as compared to the white and powerful who are charged for heinous misconducts and get away scratch free. Hence, throughout the period of the Blacks’ long fight for freedom and equality, several Black intellectuals have come front with ideas that could administer better treatment for their people. A good strategy to encourage the black populace to fight for their freedom and their rights is by inverting popular ideas so that there is a clear distinction between the reasonable and unreasonable notions of equality and justice. Thus, it was not uncommon for these literati to undermine dominant discourses in order to bolster their own analyses. Among the discussed black intellectuals who inverted prevailing dissertations, three that stood out the most are Frederick Douglass, Anna Julia Cooper, and
Free Black History Essays and Papers
Black History : American History
society, is Black History Month still necessary to learn about Black History? Should it be removed or should we keep it? The argument goes both ways. Some ask why there are no other history months and others say that it is important to learn about the heritage of black people. Black History Month started as what was called “Negro History Week” by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. It was said to be the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of two pivotal people in black history, Fredrick Douglass
Black History Importance
Black History Importance The time has come again to celebrate the achievements of all black men and women who have chipped in to form the Black society. There are television programs about the African Queens and Kings who never set sail for America, but are acknowledged as the pillars of our identity. In addition, our black school children finally get to hear about the history of their ancestors instead of hearing about Columbus and the founding of America. The great founding of America briefly
black history month
The Black History Month is a time when the children are taught about the inventions that were mostly done by the black pioneers. During this month, the children are taught on the most basic information regarding he black pioneers but the background information is not taught. Due to the shallowness of the lessons in this month, those taught concerning it carry very little significance of an individual such as Charles Drew having invented the blood plasma. This period is celebrated in the month of
A Soundtrack To Black History: A Soundtrack To Black History
A Soundtrack To Black History was primarily a suited musical about inequality and segregation. Prairie View A&M University which started as a plantation and then developed into the second public coed institution of higher education. The play was primarily about how prairie view was from the beginning from being an all boy school for colored people to being a coed university for colored people. A play is supposed to give you an emotional work out. Theatre illuminates some aspect of the human condition
The Black History Month: The Importance Of Black History
Black history month is an annual recognition of historical events that took place during slavery. This observance period is set aside to honor the lives and history of African American descendants, in many parts of the world. It is a way of giving honor to African Americans, and those who made it possible for African Americans to have a voice within white society. It is observed during the month of February, and is recognized as an historical cultural, and educational presentations across the
History Of Black History Month
[Name of the Institution] More than a Month Introduction The purpose of Black History Month is to observe the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom for remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora every year. All three nations celebrate it annually in October (Jones, 2014). The documentary of Shukree Hassan Tilgham was based on carrying out cross-country campaign for ending Black History Month. One of the most earlier and historic civilizations are the ones
Black Holes History
The Creation, and History of Black Holes What is a black hole? How are black holes formed? And who first discovered black holes? Are all excellent questions that will be answered in this research document. However, before you are fed information on the history of black holes, you must first know the definition: A black hole is a region of space having a gravitational pull so intense that matter or light can escape. Black holes can be classified into 3 three categories based on their method of creation
The History of the Black Death
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“The sickness apparently began in Central Asia. In 1347, Italian merchant ships returned from the Black Sea, one of the links along the trade route between Europe and China. The ships were dirty and infested with rats. Fleas living on the blood of infected rats transferred the disease to the seamen.” (Dowling, 2013) The disease appeared in two varieties, one caught by insect bites and another airborne. In both cases, victims very rarely lasted more than three to four days between basic infection
The Father of Black History Analysis
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Carter G. Woodson is called “The Father of Black History” because he worked really hard to make sure black history was taught in schools and studied by students. He also began the Journal of Negro History in 1916, along with other publications in the coming years in an effort to make sure black history was not forgotten. He founded Black History Month because he strongly believed that people should be aware of African American history and culture, and it is still celebrated around the United States
The History Of Black Nationalism
1/26/2014 By Any (Moral?) Means Necessary The history of the African-American struggle against the forces of racism and oppression is a long and complex one. It dates back to when the first groups of Africans were forced to the Americas against their will. A tragedy most aptly described when Malcolm X proclaimed, “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; the rock was landed on us (X, Malcolm). Since that point in history, over four hundred years ago, Black people in the United States have been fighting
Black Soldiers in American History
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Black Soldiers in American History While many volumes of work have been written on the heroics of Anglo-Americans in defense of the United States, insufficient notice has been given to the extensive involvement of blacks in defense of the United States beginning with, but not limited to, the Revolutionary War. Although bought over in chains, blacks continually demonstrated their commitment to liberty, equality and democracy through their participation and valiant fighting in the Revolutionary
Black History: The Importance Of African American History
Technically all history is important whether it is the history that has been taught in schools for years or African American History. Both are important because they both play an important role to one another. They both represent both sides and it is important to know how they intersected with each other and how they played a role in how our society is today. The importance of African American History is so that people will know the heritage of their ancestors and give incite to how they were treated
Black History Month Thesis
Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements accomplished by African Americans over the years. In February, many African Americans are celebrated in result of their importance to their race. They may have accomplished anything from a writing or speech, to accomplishing a goal and winning an award. Black History Month started in 1915, after the Thirteenth Amendment was passed, abolishing slavery in the United States. The men and women celebrated on this day, have contributed in change
Black History Speech Analysis
the school was given the speech about black history. He, himself was a black African American born in the United States. The student enter in the one entrance door quietly and sat on the floor. Little by little, more kids join in. As soon as the door close, the director shows up and cheer the kids up. I could tell that the students had a connection with the director. On the screen was his name and the tittle of the speech “Now and back then” Black history speech. He was standing on the floor next
Importance Of Black History Month
Black history did not always have the pleasure of having a month dedicated to it; it used to be restricted to a single week, called “Negro Week,” to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (Adetoro). African historian and journalist, Carter G. Woodson, began this week in 1926, in an attempt to inform others of the accomplishments as well as the devastations African Americans had experienced (Bambrick). Woodson’s timing was crucial; he initiated this week in a time where
The Orgins of Black History Month
The History on Black History month When I think of the African American culture, I think of warmth and vitality: I think of soul, but I also think of strength and endurance. It has been these qualities given by the most high God to the human mind, body and spirit that to me have presumably characterized a great deal of the African American race in being brought and established here within the United States of America. Therefore, as also to be seen with the inception of Black history month, it was
Intimate History Of The Black Death
Have you ever wished you could take away the pain of others? The Great Mortality An Intimate History of the Black Death, the most Devastating Plague of All Time by John Kelly is a true story of a apocalyptic time period. During the 14th century a plague emerged from central Asia and spread towards the cities of Mediterranean in Europe. In this era the fastest transportation was a horse so people couldn’t escape this tragedy. The plague spread all over Europe from the Mediterranean to North Atlantic
The History and Evoution of Black Friday
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. Many regard it as the beginning of the holiday shopping season. While it is not a federal holiday, several states observe the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday, which means many state and school employees have the day off. Therefore, the number of potential shoppers is high. In fact, since 2005, it has been the busiest shopping day of the year. With retailers extending their hours and deals, the crowds and choas of Black Friday shows
Black History Month Research Paper
Should there be black history month Morgan Freeman states he does not want black history month, but some might think this is strange coming from a very popular black American celebrity. He believes it is ridiculous and does not understand why we have a month long celebration. We do not have months designated for White History Month, Jewish History Month, and Christian History Month instead of a specific race being celebrated, perhaps it should be American History Month to encompass all Americans
February is Black History Month. It recognizes the struggles the black community faced, now face and will face along with the accomplishments achieved by the black community. Black History Month was first celebrated by the Black United Students at Kent State University in 1970. They wanted to expand the celebration of “Negro Week” created by historian Carter G. Woodsen. Black History Month wasn’t recognized until 1976 by the U.S government. Blacks have been fighting the injustices they faced since
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Home — Essay Samples — History — African American History — Why Is Black History Month Important: My Views
Why is Black History Month Important: My Views
- Subject: Sociology , History
- Category: Race and Ethnicity , History of the United States
- Essay Topic: African American , African American History
- Published: 09 May 2022
- Downloads: 75
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Black History Month Research Paper
Show More Every year during the month of February the nation celebrates Black History Month. Many Americans wonder why there is a Black History month. What makes African Americans distinctive from all other Americans. Black History month or National African American month originated from the Negro Week. The cofounders of this organization were Carter G. Woodson, George Cleveland Hall, W.B. Hartgrove, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps. Harvard graduate named Carter G. Woodson who promoted a national celebration of black contribution. He selected the second week of February during which Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas had celebrated their birthdays. He called it Negro Week (Horton 3). The Association for the study of Negro life and history …show more content… Carter G. Woodson, George Cleveland Hall, W.B. Hartgrove, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps. Carter G. Woodson was known as the “Father of Black History” because of the outstanding position he held in the American History. Carter G. Woodson was born in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia, to former slaves Anne Eliza and James Henry Woodson. Although his parents could neither read nor write, Carter G. Woodson gave recognition to his father for pushing him all his life. Carter G. Woodson later on in life achieved many of his goals. Carter G. Woodson was the second African American to graduate from Harvard University in 1912 with his PhD in History. Carter G. Woodson have inspired many Americans through his journals. From 1916 for nine years Woodson wrote on topics dealing with the study of African Americans lives and historical events that occurred. Nine years was a long time to write about African Americans and not get any acknowledgement from the Americans who obviously under value black …show more content… Black History was to be celebrated for the entire month of February for the recognition of African American History . Negro History Week was first developed in 1912 to educate Americans of historical event to celebrate African Americans people for their accomplishments. In the American History African American are referred to only as slave, which is not factual. The Americans had no interest in the African American History. Many African Americans have often wonder why the Black History Month had to be celebrated during the shortest month of the year. Some African Americans took offense, but Carter G. Woodson had a better reason. The month had been chosen because of two important people in history celebrated birthdays; Abraham Lincoln birthday was February 12, 1809 and Fredrick Douglas birthday was February 14,
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Black History Month Essay
- Topics: African American Cultural Diversity
- Words: 2934
- This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples.
Why should black history be taught extensively in schools?
Did you know that police killed more than 1000 black lives in the UK in 2020? Did you know that black people are currently 3x more likely to be killed by the police? Did you know that 99% of killings by police between 2013 to 2020 don’t result in criminal charges? Well, as a matter of fact this is coordinated activity developing across the country, and so we have declared an emergency! Black people are dying, in this state of calamity. So tell me, why is it that white crime is seen as an isolated incident but black crime is a representation of the entire black community? This cannot be seen as an isolated incident. This is why I believe that black history should be taught more extensively in schools.
To begin with, days like today are very important. We need to have more opportunities to talk openly and honestly about race. When we do this more people will learn to stop making assumptions. Educating children in schools on black history will not only benefit them and have a huge impact on their lives but, it will also result in a decrease in the amount of racial violence happening around the world right now. A department for education spokesperson said, black history is an important topic which schools can teach to children of all ages as part of the history curriculum. I agree with this statement as in my opinion I believe that racism in all its forms is unacceptable and has no place in society. I don’t understand why we should commemorate world-renowned art museums and technologically advanced science museums, when educational courses are claimed to be progressive and inclusive. So, just what is the deal with black history being forgotten? Or do we want to forget about it?
In my opinion, I believe that black culture is without a doubt powerful. For years, it has helped structure the shape of many countries by modifying their art, language and politics. But, I remember when I was taking history lessons, none of this was taught to me, especially not during Black History Month. Judging from my history classes, some people would believe Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks changed history all by themselves. That information was normally rushed through within 5 lessons and included a movie at some point. However, as much as I respect and appreciate the work of these three people, black history is bigger than them and began long before their time. Students at all levels of education in the UK should be well cultured on the key aspects of black history because it is our country’s history. It’s time to be at ease with the uncomfortable and address the truth. Yes, the Atlantic slave trade and Civil Rights movements took place, and whilst they are an initial part of our country’s history, there is so much more to impart in. When GLC, Greater London Council, officially announced October to be known as Black History Month in 1987, it was meant to seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of black people in every area of attempt throughout our history. These neglected accomplishments are continuing to happen because there is an exclusion in what is being remembered. Our country was established off of slaves, our culture was established by black people, and our society continues to be unjust to black people by failing to acknowledge their accomplishments. Darcus Howe, a civil rights campaigner, believed that without the full truth, there is no truth, and there is no denying that black history is only partially being investigated in classrooms. He said, If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes an irrelevant factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being wiped out. I’m sure Darcus would probably be rolling in his grave if he could see how little black history is actually taught! From the British Black Panthers to the Bristol Bus Boycott, Black History and Black History Month is an opportunity to bring neglected historical incidents into the classrooms. We have a responsibility, as British citizens, to educate people on the entire history of our nation. Not just the hints and pieces that glitter nicely!
I am sure many people will agree that racism is learned and taught rather than inherited, so by educating people on black history, hopefully, society will learn to recognize and appreciate the contributions black people have made to our country’s advancement, rather than be ignorant or ignore it. As we can see, due to this ignorance and lack of knowledge of the education surrounding it, black history continues to be in the absence of young people, especially individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds who are not being taught about their history within Britain. Therefore results in them taking away their sense of identity and belonging. Kendra Gerald, a part of teen empowerment youth organizer, thinks that people’s perceptions of black people are that black people are expected to be gang involved, incarcerated, and or uneducated. Because of those perceptions that are ingrained in the history of our country sometimes, black people have the same perceptions of themselves. I agree with this and think that this can impact who they are, what they can be, and what they think they can achieve. Part of the challenge black people face is to change those perceptions and contradictions of themselves and to learn to take pride in who they are and where they come from rather than having a loss of personality and uniqueness.
What do I mean by taking away their sense of identity and belonging? Well, the assassination of George Floyd and the following global Black Lives Matter Protest have seen a renewed demand for curriculums to be decolonized, targeting the whitewashing that occurs at all levels of education. In my opinion, I believe that we should let George Floyd’s death be a flashpoint in modern history as a time when as a society, we decided to promote diversity and inclusion, rather than expecting history to elude us, we should teach children about how their past is casting their present. How would you feel if you were segregated and judged by your skin color? Not great, perhaps even offended or guilty. A friend of mine said that the black community is being attacked in so many nuanced ways from racial profiling to police brutality. She said that she couldn’t be friends with someone she was close to because she was black and the person’s mum forbade her to be friends with her daughter. After hearing this I felt very emotional and guilty as this type of behavior is just intolerable and disgusting. Black people have encountered some challenging situations regarding race. Remarks and contradicting things such as my dad saying that black people aren’t allowed over the house because they steal, or my parents would disown me if I ever dated a black guy. Is this really what some people believe? Just because there is a difference in skin tone, all of a sudden they are now belittling and having other innocent people have their character being slandered by false and unjustifiable statements. As a teenager and hearing these, things really start to make me think, is this what the general white population thinks about black people and other people of color? Does this in the end, all go down to identity and how since slavery, racism has impacted how people feel about themselves and about others? I cannot accept the fact that this kind of behavior is still going on, even when it’s 2021!
This is why I believe that black history should be taught more extensively in schools, educating both the new and old generations. All children benefit from learning about black history. It aids in the fight against racism and helps both students and parents as it gives a full and honest view of Black people who are segregated. Students now more than ever have an opportunity to educate their parents or guardians who have not had the same experiences and knowledge as them in school through no fault of their own. Therefore, a greater chance for everyone with no excuses to be aware of the current affairs and situations we are currently in as a society and community. It has a significant impact on racist attitudes, and these factors benefit all students by ensuring that schools are a place where all children feel respected, appreciated, and protected. This is critical because educators know, and have known for a long time, that children find it difficult to learn when they feel devalued, insignificant, or unsafe. Students benefit from learning about black history all year, not just during Black History Month. However, instead of just focusing on black history I think personally schools should extend the curriculum of educating students on black history across all the subjects in schools. There is a new law in the UK put into place which is that black history lessons are to be made compulsory in schools. I think that the best way of achieving this is to educate children not only in history but in all the other subjects. For example, by studying literature we can look at not just people’s lives but be looking at examples of stories. We can use that to empathize with the different situations that people would have been in and develop our knowledge and understanding of them so that we include learning about all different races and cultures not being unfair and having inequalities around the world globally.
Is Black History Month Necessary: an examination of the Origin, Culture, and Politics of Black History Month
Four hundred years ago, after being trafficked several times by human traffickers, 19 black slaves arrived on the American continent for the first time. Today in 2019, people commemorate them by celebrating Black History Month. Is Black History Month necessary? I think the answer is yes, Black History Month is necessary.
The father of the Black History
For decades, it is widely considered that black people did not have much history except Slavery, till now, much of the growing recognition of the true place of black people in history can be attributed to one man, Carter G. Woodson.
Carter Godwin Woodson (Dec. 19, 1875 – Apr. 3 1950) was a historian and the co-founder of the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and History”. He grew up in a rural family in Virginia, his parents James Woodson and Eliza Riddle Woodson were slaves released after the American Civil War. In order to attend a new high school for black students than was under construction, the Woodson family moved to Huntington, West Virginia. However, Carter’s application for admission was rejected.
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Although his family cannot afford his tuition, deep down in the young Woodson’s mind, he knew how important it was to receive proper education in his efforts to secure and make the best use of his sacred freedoms. He started to teach himself English, Math, and chemistry. He didn’t start formal education until he was 20, thought his own intelligence and efforts, He received a bachelor of arts degree from Berea College in Kentucky and an honorary degree from the University of Chicago. In 1912, he earned his Ph.D. in history at Harvard University 1912, where he was the second African-American to receive a Ph.D. From the bottom of Woodson’s heart, he truly believed that the role of our own people in American and other cultural history is ignored or misrepresented by scholars, so in 1915, inspired by his time in Chicago, he founded the African American Life and History Research Association, which aims to formalize the past education of adults and their country. In 1926, Woodson launched a celebration of ‘Negro History Week’, which corresponds to the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. US president Gerald Ford has designated February as Black History Month since 1976.
Black History Month promotes cultural diversity
For a long time, white people dominated the art world. Black artists often go unnoticed and even get isolated by racists. In the eyes of those racists, we black people should work on someone’s farmland, in someone’s kitchen, or someone’s flowerbeds, rather than painting, writing poems, songs, and scripts at our own house. At that time, no talented black musician could be as famous as Elvis Presley, no talented actress could play the leading role in a movie as Marilyn Monroe do, and no talented painter could hang their artworks in the Wadsworth Atheneum as Stuart Davis do. With the start of the Black History Week celebration, the works of black artists begin to get wide attention, they make art of our own race in an era full of white man’s art. The success of Jacob Lawrence, James Brown, Sidney Poitiers, and others injected a different color into the art world at that time.
Black History Month promotes racial harmony
As a black woman, I represent a group of people that has been repeatedly robbed of expression. Most history books are written by white people, and the efforts of our fellow citizens are often not valued. Except for slavery and apartheid, our children know nothing about the history of black people. Through Black History Month, the voice of our race is getting louder and louder, more and more brothers and sisters are proud of their skin color, and more and more people who are not white are willing to talk about their ethnic experience. People will peak up for oppressed people of all colors, they have the guts to complain about the phenomenon of racial discrimination.
In a jungle society where egoism prevails, in those Social Darwinists’ minds, they are born strong, they can easily succeed, and other races are destined to fail. Those Social Darwinists ignore the fact that other races can only succeed if they overcome layers of obstacles. When vulnerable groups speak up or get attention, they will use ‘political correctness to blame the weak. Maybe some of them will think that Black History Month is too “politically correct”. I strongly disagree, I think the abuse and over-vigilance of ‘political correctness have made us blind to the substantive discrimination faced by vulnerable groups. We have talked enough about the topic of ‘Political Discrimination’, but the issues of equality and pluralism are not summarized by the term ‘political correctness.
Black History Month can be an opportunity to educate all people, no matter what race they are. You and I together, we must stand up to expose and criticize systematic discrimination relentlessly.
In the end, let me quote what Japanese writer Haruki Murakami said at the Jerusalem Literature Awards 2009:
“Each of us is, more or less, an egg. Each of us is a unique, irreplaceable soul enclosed in a fragile shell. This is true of me, and it is true of each of you. And each of us, to a greater or lesser degree, is confronting a high, solid wall. The wall has a name: it is “The System.” The System is supposed to protect us, but sometimes it takes on a life of its own, and then it begins to kill us and cause us to kill others–coldly, efficiently, systematically.”
“We are all human beings, individuals transcending nationality and race and religion, and we are all fragile eggs faced with a solid wall called The System. To all appearances, we have no hope of winning. The wall is too high, too strong–and too cold. If we have any hope of victory at all, it will have to come from our believing in the utter uniqueness and irreplaceability of our own and others’ souls and from our believing in the warmth we gain by joining souls together.”
In conclusion, I believe that black history and the curriculum should be taught more extensively in schools. Picture this, a world where black people are up to 37x more likely to be stopped and searched than white people. A world where black people are 87% more likely to be arrested than white people. A world where black people are 4x more likely to be unemployed than white people. I think that we need to begin to have honest conversations about people’s cultures and learn that the negative assumptions that are made about others are not true. We need these conversations to take place in schools and within different communities and see that they engage people of all ages in the process. We need to find a way to have these conversations and to educate people who live in the city and people who live in the suburbs, between rich and poor and between the young and old. We will never break down these stereotypes unless we bring people together so that they can get to know each other and appreciate the challenges that people of color face in this country on a day-to-day basis. So I ask all of us to understand that we come from different cultures but we are all part of one race, we are the human race. The sooner we understand that as a county the better off we will be. Hopefully, by doing this there will be a decrease in the number of racist and violent experiences around the world. Of course, we all need to play our part and contribute to helping make a difference and a better place to live in. We need to have Black, White, Asain, and Hispanic to step forward and say we are not going to accept that kind of behavior anymore and with that, I say thank you for listening.
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Why is Black History Month Important (Essay Sample)
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Introduction
We are all familiar with Black History Month and are vaguely familiar with what people do to celebrate it. However, most of us are spectators of this observance, rather than active participants – probably because we don’t understand it as deeply.
What is the significance of Black History Month? The author in this sample essay reflects on the roots of this celebration and expounds on key reasons why it is worth actively remembering.
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Witnessing the Unfolding Story of the Black Community: Why Black History Month is Important
Every February, we see signs and all sorts of messaging for Black History Month. At school, there is usually a special discussion or activity set aside for this. A yearly observance that lasts for a week, this was previously called Negro History Week and was established by historian Carter G. Woodson, known as the Father of Black History. It is officially recognized and celebrated today not just by the United States, but also in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Most of us cognitively know that the rich story of the African-American journey is so pivotal in how American history unfolded. But why is it really so important that we all celebrate and actively participate in it? In this paper, I would like to share with you four reasons.
It is a reminder that diversity is something to be celebrated, not condemned or feared
One of the things that we will learn about Black history is that it advocates for the beauty of what distinguishes us and sets us apart. It also promotes a larger message of embracing diversity, which even goes beyond how we treat African-Americans in our communities.
From appreciating the culture and applauding success stories of black women to reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement and standing up against racism, we are called to go out of our personal bubbles and recognize the importance of seeing differences as elements that can actually unite us.
Because we tend to stick to the categories we know, it is easy for us to assume that when we come across something that or someone who looks different, it elicits a fear response within us and the immediate thought goes to conquering or running away from it. But when we go back to the past and study the lives of African-Americans, and participate in the Black Lives Matter movement, we experience a paradigm shift and recognize that diversity is an opportunity to come together and build on each others’ strengths.
It invites people from all walks of life to come together in unity
As mentioned earlier, when we study the experiences of black Americans and recognize the value they bring to society, it points to segments of our community that are unique in their own ways. We start recognizing other minorities and ethnic groups. When we deepen our knowledge of these people and develop an appreciation for them, we are more open to joining hands and collaborating with them for a brighter future.
To achieve this, it is important that people from different backgrounds are willing to approach each other and dialogue. All too often, what keeps us from coming together are our negative assumptions about those who are different from us. We lack awareness of the various members of society and even our local community, and as such, we tend to stay in our own circles.
Unity can happen when we break the barriers that keep us from putting ourselves in others’ shoes and developing empathy and appreciation for others.
It provides opportunities to bring history to life
For most of us, our history textbooks are as far as we go in terms of learning about what happened in the past. It is no surprise, then, that many of us don’t feel a personal connection with, for instance, African-American communities.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we breathe life into those old history books by rereading African-American history and seeing the story continually unfold in the lives of African-Americans today. At the same time, it is a golden opportunity for us to look at other lesser-known but equally significant historical figures who made an impact on the world.
Take the opportunity to join any African-American event and you may just learn a new thing or two about the richness of American history. Many of these activities offer new relevant information that doesn’t usually make it in the main columns of the textbook. These “side stories” are equally important, and it gives us a greater picture of the contributions other people have made in honor of the American people.
It tells us that every story is valuable
More than just highlighting the legacy of the people who came before us, annual observances such as Black History Month are also a personal reminder to make our own story count. We remember how the journeys of our forefathers led to the kind of America we are happily experiencing today. We also hear the sobering truth that someday, our stories will also matter to future generations. As such, we are pushed to maximize our lives and do good for the sake of others around us.
Black History Month has deepened insignificance because it has managed to bridge discussions on other related topics. It is no longer just about black communities, but now it has also opened our eyes to the reality of injustice in spheres of society that are labeled as different. It is a call to action to learn from the past and change the future of the world by changing the way that we see and treat ourselves and others. As emerging leaders, we are to look back and learn from the achievements of our forefathers and give hope for tomorrow by applying lessons we can glean from the past.
May this year’s celebration be a meaningful one!
FAQs on Why is Black History Month Important
❓ what is the meaning of black history month.
Previously known as Negro History Week, this is a yearly week-long celebration pioneered by the father of Black History, Carter G. Woodson. It is usually celebrated in February, a date that was chosen because it shared the birthdays of known anti-slavery President Abraham Lincoln and social reformer Frederick Douglas. It is an invitation for people from different walks of life to come together and reflect on the implications of their experiences.
❓ Why is it important to study Black History?
First, there are many lessons to be gained from learning about the black experience and how it impacts the lives of many African-Americans today. It also opens our eyes to the good choices and the tragic mistakes of our forefathers. Second, and more importantly, it shines a light not just on African-Americans, but other ethnic minorities who are often discriminated against in America simply because they are different. Learning from the black experience causes us to apply the same lessons to other people who don’t fit into our “box.” We learn to love diversity and see it as a means to find common ground so that we can support one another in our strengths and build a better nation in the process. It also reminds us that now, all the more, collaboration is important if we are on the path to creating better years ahead of us. When we teach black history, we teach students to be advocates of unique stories.
The Spectator
Personal Essays on Black History Month
Guest Writer , Author | February 22, 2018
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained educator, working with the Association for the Study of Negro Life established Black History Week – an opportunity to honor the largely unknown contributions of those of African descent and to celebrate the essence of a history that is integral to the narrative of America as apple pie. Nearly 100 years later (92 to be exact), black history in the United States remains incomplete, inauthentic and lopsided. The dominant narrative reinforces negative stereotypes and assumptions that devalue black and brown bodies in America. We are familiar with the common threads – school-to-prison pipeline, mass incarceration, educational achievement gaps to name a few. We are less familiar with (or perhaps less willing to acknowledge) the systemic and structural forces that sustain and lock in advantage; a self-reinforcing system that has been operating for hundreds of years. Moreover, often we recycle our praise for those commonly-known historical figures in black history; leaving a vast delta of information about the unique contributions of black people across disciplines and genres hidden, unacknowledged or forgotten. As an African American woman living in this moment, the promise and peril of what civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 1960s referred to as “beloved community,” seems ever present. It is hard to remain hopeful in the midst of such palpable divisiveness, polarizing forces, coarse language and deeds that are antithetical to creating a society that is inclusive, loving and just. Those who fought, sacrificed, and died deserve our reverence and gratitude, for sure. Significantly, however, to honor the legacy of their contributions demands not only celebratory moments, but also recommitting ourselves to action toward building beloved community. Remembering the past is important to create pathways toward greater understanding, productive dialogue, cross-cultural trust and reconciliation. Discovering those core pieces of American history is vital to building these bridges. The Southern Poverty Law Center recently published a study reflecting our failure as a nation to adequately educate about the difficult and complex history of American slavery; treating slavery as an event rather than integral part of who we are as a country. We must honestly confront our shared history and its relationship to contemporary racial gaps and inequities. Any discussion toward building beloved community cannot take place without confronting the difficult history of American slavery because this history continues to shape our conceptions of race, who belongs and fairness. With Black History Month upon us, I’m mindful of the students, scholars, activists and ordinary citizens who found the courage to remain determined and engaged in the midst of great challenges, vulnerability and danger in order to demand basic human dignity and racial justice. In fact, it was college students and other young people who declared Black History as a month-long exploration rather than a week. Confining black history to a week or month is not the point. The heart of the matter for me is that context matters. This moment signifies our shared history—black history matters for all of us—the story of how America developed, prospered and created an imperfect union, one that continues to bear fruit in rich and complex ways. It’s about educating ourselves and discovering those foundational pieces and hard truths of American history like the enslavement of free people of African descent, genocidal acts like lynching, segregation and the discrimination of Jim Crow, along with the numerous contributions made by black people to the fabric of American life and culture, as well as its infrastructure and industrial capacity. We remember so others will not forget; to affirm and to build a better world. We cannot change that which we do not know and understand or for which we hold little or no respect and curiosity. This month and beyond, I will acknowledge with pride those whose efforts continue to inspire and make history—from the freedom fighters of the Civil Rights Movement (too numerous to name), the vibrancy of the Harlem Renaissance, Pauli Murray, Audre Lorde; to more contemporary history makers including Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick, Ana Duvernay, Shonda Rhimes, Beyoncé, authors like Ibram Kendi and Isabel Wilkerson, Black Panther – the movie, to the official portraits of former President Obama and Michelle Obama, both created by black artists whose subjects and works will hang in the National Gallery for all time. Additionally, as CDO, I will continue to build our capacity to embed and infuse diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the strategic priorities of the institution and to cultivate more productive ways of engaging across differences. The goal is that SU is a place where we harness the power of our differences, embrace creative tension and grow together. I remain hopeful in the midst of challenging times because of the courageous citizens on this campus and beyond who are doing their part to build a more just and humane society—toward beloved community. – Natasha Martin Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
I’m half Black, half Cuban. Growing up my father never spoke Spanish in the house and I never asked why. My father was a man that never saw color, he always believed you should “trust the soul of a man rather than the look of him.” (Remember the Titans–Coach Yoast). In Petersburg, Va., where I was born and raised, my father became the first Negro in the 60’s to drive a city bus. At the time this was unheard of. He battled his way through racism, and other challenges of negative behavior because he was the only black bus driver for Petersburg Va. Transit Co. (see cover photo). I can remember my mother telling me a story about father’s first week at work. She described it as “hell pure”. Your father pulls up and says, “good morning everyone.” The white passengers were furious and they would not board the bus. So, a group of blacks walked pass the group of white passengers and boarded the bus, deposited their fare and said, “good morning.” After a few minutes the white passengers began to board the bus. They shouted racial slurs, they spit on my father and other passengers and said “hey nigger whose bus did you steal?” as they walked passed him. On top of that, they didn’t pay their fare. When all the passengers got seated, my father put the bus in park and removed his seat belt and stood up. He wasn’t a small man. He stood tall at a height of 6ft 5inches. He began to speak to all the passengers on the bus. This is what he said, “I’m the bus driver and this my route, but if I’m the driver of this bus, you will not disrespect me, put your hands on me or spit on me. Lastly if you have a problem with what I said or I have offended you, you can just remove yourself from my bus.” He returned to his seat, fastened his seat belt, and put the bus in gear and started driving toward Downtown Petersburg. During the bus ride the atmosphere on the bus was so silent you could hear a pin drop. After about a 50-minute bus ride, the bus arrives in Downtown Petersburg. The bus comes to a stop and my father opens the door and all passengers began to exit. As white passengers walked past my father to exit the bus, they deposited their fare and shook my fathers hand and apologized to him and the last white passenger asked if they would we him see later that day, to which my father responded, “yes you will and I will get you home safe to your family.” Black History Month, to me, means a celebration of knowledge. It’s a reflection of the past, present and future in African American Culture. It’s a reminder of all the positive and innovative things that have come from our culture and how it made a huge impact on future generations. It is a time for everyone to experience culture and the roots of many things that have evolved from those of African American decent. Also it’s a time to inform everyone who may not be exposed to African American History the rest of the year. Let’s all take the time to remember the hardships and struggle, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s a remembrance of what we strive for and how the ones before us have paved a way for the things we have today. – Ricco Bland Public Safety Officer
My grandmother was the most influential person in my life until her death in 1997. Today, I draw inspiration both from her memory and the legacy of love and compassion she left behind. I experienced a safe, secure, loving childhood that occurred at the valuable intersection of two circumstances; the youth of my parents and the love of my grandmother. I was positioned to witness the broad range of painful human experiences and given a unique set of assets and blessings that allowed me the ability to develop and grow my understanding of the world I inhabit. Early in my upbringing, my grandmother introduced me to the writings of W.E.B. DuBois. And while I was not fully capable on my own of making sense of his writings as a youngster, the messages of his experiences spoke truth to my reality as I began to mature and grow in my understanding of the world around me. His words of the early 1900s still ring true for me today and underscore the significance of Black History Month in my life so I share them with you in that spirit. After the Egyptian and the Indian, the Greek and the Roman, the Teuton and the Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world—a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. (DuBois, 1903) Accordingly, Black History Month is less a month and more a movement that remains alive in me with each breath I take. It is represented in my family who gave me voice and liberated me from the poor rural up bringing that shackled so many before and after me. Black History Month is about deliverance, freedom, reframing experiences, renaming reality and retelling the truth. H. Alexander Welcome (2004) asserted: The life histories of Whites are used as the standard against which Blacks are encouraged to strive. The employment of this ontology fallaciously limits the range of Black agency, producing deceitful narratives where the navigation of the social environment by Blacks is dictated by either a passive response to, or a passive adoption of, White scripts. The utilization of whiteness to determine and/or evaluate blackness begins when whiteness and White life histories come to represent what is “right.” (p. 61) Black History is about transformation, consciousness, definition, and debunking myths and lies. It is represented in the narratives and oral histories of my ancestors told to me by my grandparents and parents and to be shared forward with my own children and the generations to come. It is about an increased understanding of the contributions of Black people throughout our muddled history. It is ultimately about truth and reconciliation. – Alvin Sturdivant Vice President, Student Development
Picture Detroit, Michigan in the 1970’s and you can begin to imagine my childhood. By the time I was ten years old, the mayor of Detroit was a black man, Coleman Young. The superintendent of public schools, Arthur Jefferson, was also a black man. I was blessed to grow up in times permeated by James Brown (“I’m black and I’m proud), the Black Panthers, dashikis, afro hair, and going every Sunday to Triedstone Baptist Church and later Detroit’s Afro-American Mission. In my memory, I hear people reminding me that the history of my race was something of which to be proud. Calendars my parents received from black businesses in town served as black history storybooks. (I honestly can’t remember if they were sent by funeral homes or insurance agencies.) Every year, we received a new calendar depicting black people succeeding in various fields such as Dorie Miller, a Navy gunner killed at Pearl Harbor and honored for his bravery, and Ida B. Wells, the journalist and sociologist who brought lynching into the national consciousness. Black history was not confined to a month at my public school. Yet, February afforded an opportunity for heightened reflections on what it meant to be black in America. Today, February still feels like a time to remember, to catch hold of the past and allow it to inspire me in the present. I recently joked with a friend that I should write a book titled “The Re-education of this Negro” as I have struggled with the times – police brutality against young black men and women, regular reminders of mass incarceration and injustice under the law. At times, the bleakness of the current day overwhelms me. I wish I could say that seeing all of the wrongs propels me toward solutions but at times I feel immobilized by the weight of racism. In contrast, it seems to me that Dr. Woodson called black people to have a knowledge of history because an understanding of the accomplishments of one’s forbears was essential to inspiration, aspiration, and justice. Increasingly, as I struggle with this present darkness I feel the need to draw on the dreams and victories of those who came before. I want to remember how they maintained faith and laughter as well as how tears and sorrow drove them forward. What’s black history month to me? It is both a call and a light. Black history month is the call of many voices saying “Remember. Press on.” Black history month is a light in the darkness that shows a way forward. Black history is about more than a month but this month reminds me to pause and locate myself within history. – Holly Slay Ferraro Associate Professor, Management
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When President Gerald Ford established Black History Month in 1976, he stated that it was to celebrate the often neglected accomplishments of African Americans throughout the country’s history. The month grew out of a movement to promote th...
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Black History Month, to me, means a celebration of knowledge. It's a reflection of the past, present and future in African American Culture.