The Significance of Black History Month
In 1926, U.S. historian Carter Woodson created "Negro History Week," which evolved into Black History Month in 1976 (also known as African-American History Month). Since then, it has been celebrated annually every February. African- Americans and Americans of all background remember the great moments in African-American history through community events, parties or rituals. It is significant because it is a commemoration to the African-Americans who have made the United States a great country as a result of their impact.
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Celebration
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Black neighborhoods often celebrate Black History Month as a community, through parties or parades. There are usually special events and guest speakers in larger cities. Schools may put on plays about black history, and classrooms often play games about important figures and events from U.S. history.
Political Significance
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Generally the most celebrated people of African-American history are those who helped changed the political climate of the United States. from a land of slavery to one of liberty. Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama are all notable black people who are celebrated during the month of February.
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Cultural Importance
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Artists, sports figures and other black icons who made cultural leaps for AfricanAmerican freedom in American culture are also remembered during Black History Month. Jackie Robinson, B.B. King, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Richard Pryor, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin are just a handful of the many famous AfricanAmericans who changed American culture through their work.
Education
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Public schools, especially those in urban neighborhoods with large populations of black families, make a special point to teach kids about African-American history during the month of February. This gives children an early appreciation for the impacts that were made by those who came before them.
African-American History
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The first black people in United States were brought to the country as slaves, and it wasn't until the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation that black people began taking steps towards freedom. Since black people were a part of the country when it started, and lived through the mistreatment of the 1960s civil cights movement, African-Americans have the right to be proud of their accomplishments in the U.S..
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References
- Photo Credit african woman posing image by Elke Dennis from Fotolia.com
