Why Study Black History
Learning about the history of other cultures contributes to cultural awareness. There are often more facets of a culture than meet the eye. While Black History unquestionably includes the background of slavery, one can also learn other aspects of the history, whether it is through reading works from the renowned poet Langston Hughes during the Harlem Renaissance, watching documentaries on the Civil Rights Movement, or learning about the legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson.
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Significance
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It is important to know how different cultures have contributed to society. Studying Black History will show how numerous African-Americans have contributed over the years in various ways, including the contributions that may go unnoticed or are unheard of.
Benefits
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Learning about Black History will not only educate you, but will also broaden your perspective on the lives of others. You can become knowledgeable and enlightened on vital issues and prominent people who have made history for Black culture and shaped the lives of many people nationally and even globally.
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Milestones
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Studying Black History will give you a deeper understanding of Black History milestones that have occurred throughout time and impacted America. Some of these milestones listed on the History Channel's timeline include slavery in America (1619); the Underground Railroad (1831); John Brown's Raid (1859); the Civil War (1861); Separate-but-equal period (1896); the NAACP creation (National Association Advancement for Colored people; 1909); Harlem Renaissance (1920); Emmett Till (1955); Rosa Parks and the Bus Boycott (1955); the Civil Rights Act (1964); Voting Rights Act (1965); and Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination (1968). (See Reference 1)
Contributions
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Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington are African-Americans whose names are well-known to many people in Black History; however, studying Black History will equip people with knowledge of the many additional African-American inventors who made contributions, although their names may not be as recognizable. The Black Collegian Web site lists African-American inventors and their notable inventions that many use daily. The following inventors and inventions have impacted the world for the past, present, and future: Frederick M. Jones, air conditioning unit, 1949; L. R. Johnson, bicycle frame, 1899; Henry T. Sampson, cell phone, 1971; G.T. Sampson, clothes dryer, 1862; Alexander Miles, elevator, 1867; George Washington Carver, peanut butter, 1896; Garrett Morgan, traffic light, 1923; L.A. Burr, lawn mower, 1889; and J. Standard, refrigerator, 1891.
(See Reference 2)
The Facts
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Black History Month is celebrated throughout February. Other important facts about it according to the History Channel include the following: Black History Month began in 1926 as the Negro History Week by African-American historian Carter G. Woodson; it transformed into a month-long celebration in 1976; and February was chosen to concur with the birthday of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two prominent men who played major roles in making Black History. (See Reference 1)
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