Black History Month Facts

Black History Facts

As Black History Month approaches what is its significance?

During its beginning, when Black History Month was established as "Negro History Week", it was

a week dedicated to celebrating the birthdays of two very significant people in the history of the

America - Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Douglass was a former slave

turned abolitionist and Abraham Lincoln was the president who introduced the Emancipation

Proclamation that ended slavery.

In 1976, "Negro History Week" was renamed "Black History Month", in celebration of the 200th

birthday of the United States. It was also converted from a week's celebration to a month's

celebration.

According to some people, this month of celebration is seen as an unfair event, which

celebrates the history of just one race. Some also say that celebrating African American history

and African American achievements brings in a division of races. It is considered an idea that

underlines the notion that African Americans are different from Americans.

There will be plenty of buzz, news reports about Black History events and a slew of TV ads using

BHM as the backdrop for product promotions targeting African Americans.

The suits on Madison Avenue see it as an opportunity to sell to African Americans under the

guise of celebrating the history and accomplishments of Black people in America.

But beyond the upsurge in awareness that February affords Black History Month, the sad fact is

that for most African Americans, the potential to use this time to bolster their knowledge and

understanding will for the majority of people go unrealized.

Black History Month Facts

Some question the need of a month that focuses solely on Black heritage and other wonder if

it’s even relevant in a post Civil Right Movement era.

Six fun, educational and practical things you can do during the Black History Month

1. Take an interactive trip on the Underground Railroad.

2. Visit the New York Historical Society’s “Slavery in New York” exhibit online , which

explores the vital role the slave trade played in making New York one of the wealthiest

cities in the world.

3. Pay homage to great African-American jazz musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy

Gillespie, and Duke Ellington, by reading This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt. Then listen to

their music and have kids free-write phrases to describe how the music makes them

feel. Type the words into wordle.net to make a colorful “word cloud” that represents

jazz music.

4. Learn about and celebrate the contributions of African American scientists.

5. Investigate both genetic and societal consequences of the often-artificial and evolving

classifications of race and ethnicity.

6. Introduce your kids to a fun Civil Rights Hero Quiz.

My partner and I have created an interactive website, Black History Month 2014 that delves into

multiple categories related to Black History.

Black History Month Facts

They include:

African Civilization Before Slavery

Black History Fact

Black Power Movement

Civil Rights Movement

Health Issues Related to African

Americans

Mentoring Black Youth

Money

My chief concern lies in continuing to isolate African American history, setting it apart from American history. The “Black History” we celebrate is, after all, part and parcel of American history, relevant not just for those of African descent, but for all of us. One cannot fully grasp the American experience without reference to African Americans. To appreciate the Constitution, to understand the Civil War, and to make sense of present-day political realities, requires some knowledge of the history shaped through the interactions of African Americans with the dominant culture and with others. Tortuous and painful though it may be, it is, in the end, our history.

Black History is rich and diverse. Despite what you were taught in most classrooms in America, Black History did not begin with slavery. And it continues beyond the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.

Black History past, present and future is rich and diverse.

Black History Month Facts

Our goal, though ambitious is to present the history of African people (in America and throughout the Diaspora) in a rich and responsive medium.

Check it all out at Black History Month 2014