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 slavery was abolished. Jim Crow laws, living in the ghetto, the KKK, lynching, and many more have tried to keep blacks down, yet blacks keep fighting the oppression they have faced since birth. Black people made America while white people sat and …show more content…
gave orders. White cops ordering blacks around, instigating terror on them. However, blacks fought back and the Civil Rights Movement was one of those fights bringing historical moments and historical people. Some people who are appreciated on Black History Month are Martin Luther King Jr. for his contribution to the Civil Rights movement and his legacy. Malcolm X, a black muslim, whose ideals were different than Martin Luther King Jr. His approach was “any means necessary”, which means doing anything it takes to get the rights blacks deserved. With all the fights during the Civil Rights Movement death came.
Some blacks who lost their lives were Emmett Till, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Denise McNair, and many more. The killing of black men and women is just as present as it was during the Civil Rights Movement. Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Anthony Hill, and hundreds more lost their lives in the hands of white police officers. All unarmed yet killed solely for the color of their skin. Still today, every 28 hours a black man or woman is shot by police. The white police killed more than 100 unarmed and innocent black people in 2015, all who have families and loved ones. None of the names above have gotten the justice they deserve, the white cops that killed them are still walking free and some are even on paid leave. What kind of society allows murderers to roam the streets, allowed to assassinate again just because of the superiority they have in this country? What kind of society allows people of color to die just because of their skin? What kind of society allows racism to flow through the mouths of political figures, teachers, cops, and people who are supposed to be role models to the younger generations? A white supremacist society called America. The argument saying there should be a White History Month because there’s a Black History Month is laughable. White History Month is every month, White History Month is celebrated with the Oscars, a majority of movies and TV shows, every history class in school, and many more are all examples of White History Month. White representation is very present all around the world, the lighter you are the more beautiful. Dark skin black girls don’t have the same praise as light skin black girls, because the whiter you look you’re more seen as a sign of
beauty. Though many people know about Black History Month, no one chooses to acknowledge it very much. You hardly see anything about Black History Month on TV or even taught in history class rooms. When you hear of Black History Month you automatically think of Martin Luther King Jr. But what about everybody else who fought for black rights? What about people today fighting for black rights today? Such as Shaun King, a man who got very popular in 2015. With over 200,000 Twitter followers his voice is heard all over social media, speaking his mind on police brutality and social injustices. Or how about the 3 girls who created #blacklivesmatter? Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi created the hashtag in September 2013. They have launched demonstrations in the wake of Michael Brown and Eric Garner's killing, having the hashtag spread nation wide. The impact these people have spreading through social media cannot be overlooked. Black History Month is important to celebrate because it tells the stories of the thousands of black people and their fights against racism and the fight black people still go through today.
Black History Month is an observance in the United States that is celebrated in the month of February to remember all of the important African Americans in history. This observance is still celebrated annually and brings forth a debatable question such as is there still a need to celebrate black history month? I strongly believe that Black History Month should still be celebrated for several reasons, one being that children need to know how African Americans contributed to society. Young African American children need to know their ethnic background. The legendary icons who fought for whom were considered “colored” people need to be acknowledged.
In the month of February, African Americans have the privilege to reminisce and honor the people that stood up for the rights and citizenship for black people. Some people take it as a time to condemn all Caucasians for the harsh treatment the African Americans received on the road to success. I am satisfied with the African American race for constantly instilling the people with information about how they had to fight for freedom, but should that be all they discuss during Black History Month? Many argue that the Caucasians should feel bad and go into hiding during Black History Month because of what their ancestors did and only talk about how they enslaved the black people and didn’t consider them as humans. I disagree, in order to fully understand black history, one must educate people on all aspects of black history.
Is people going to forget what happen in Ferguson? How about George Zimmerman being proven not guilty? Or that Eric Garner was screaming “ I can’t breathe” before his death? There are lists of African Americans all over the world who were not given the justice that they deserved. In todays, news African Americans are being treated unfairly compared to any other demographic groups. America is the greatest country in the world, but it is difficult to believe that being in the 21st century racism still does exist. For instance, when it was time to remove the confederate flag, some demographic groups had a hard time letting go. People who argue that “blue lives matter,” which states that police are justified when using force and being unfair. These reasons are not justifiable enough to kill someone. Black Lives Matter alleges that police target and use
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 February and has been controversial for some time. Most individuals especially from the Black Americans argue that this month should not be celebrated.
Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray. These are just some of the names of black individuals murdered in the past few years as a result of police brutality and racism. Evidently, racism is still prevalent in America today. In an excerpt from Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man, he claims that America is a melting pot of diversity where everyone is treated equally and respectfully. One could argue that racism has become a thing of the past, since slavery was abolished, segregation is illegal and everyone is given the same opportunities, but I would disagree. Although our society has gotten closer to becoming post-race, Paine’s claim still does not hold true today because of the stereotypes plaguing any minority group. While members of
African American history plays a huge role in history today. From decades of research we can see the process that this culture went through and how they were depressed and deculturalized. In school, we take the time to learn about African American History but, we fail to see the aspects that African Americans had to overcome to be where they are today. We also fail to view life in their shoes and fundamentally understand the hardships and processes that they went through. African Americans were treated so terribly and poor in the last century and, they still are today. As a subordinate race to the American White race, African Americans were not treated equal, fair, human, or right under any circumstances. Being in the subordinate position African Americans are controlled by the higher white group in everything that they do.
In the past, it is true that African American have suffered injustice, however, today there are still some wounds that needs healing from harsh treatment blacks people experience from whites people back during the civil right movement. Now, some whites are in positions where they are able to use their authority and demand unnecessary respect from minorities in certain situations, just so they could be in control. “In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived, had no moral ground on which to stand” (Baldwin, 2000, p31). For instance, threatening to fire or suspend someone for not allowing them to be in control is the same attitude people had back then. Because of this, some blacks feel that they need to respond in any way possible to make their point. In other words, the attitude that some blacks have express at some point could be aggressive at time.
Women have gone through so many problems and hardships throughout their history. Black women in particular have had to face many more challenges throughout their history. Not to take away from the white women and the hardships they faced, black women have dealt with the same and more issues due to their race. Throughout the history of women, they have not gotten paid as much as men, were targeted more for sexual violence, were not treated with equal respect, and were not treated fairly at all. Black women, on top of all of those hardships, had to deal with their race and the issues that their race brought upon them. Black women during the Black arts movement, faced even more hardships. They were held back, used by their body image to be disrespected, were
Black History Month began as Negro History Week in 1926. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a scholar known as the Father of Negro History, started the celebration of Black accomplishments and contributions. Negro History Week in the 1920’s was a victory for Black Americans, because we were still suffering from the infringements of slavery and trying to gain a sense of identity as human beings and as a group of people with a history and a culture. Similarly, Black History Month was sensible in the 1960’s, because Black Americans had a sense of nationalistic pride that influence ou...
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When most Americans hear that name the first thing that comes to mind is his “Dream”. But that is not all he was. His life was more than a fight against segregation, it was segregation. He lived it and overcame it to not only better himself but to prove it could be done and to better his fellow man.
However, we do have the Black Lives Matter Movement it does go against violence but it also plays a role in racism cause it mainly the color of your skin that have so many people murder, die, didn’t get justice for because we are African American which is not fair to us or what we stand for. Many disadvantages either with life or employment, education, safety it normal for African Americans to get out in the street and fight for what is right. In the passage “Racism is for Assholes Holt” stated that black and brown people built United States as a whole so for us to be treated less than what we deserve really disappointing, frustrating, make you feel less then yourself like your weak then most race when you accomplish major history events for this country. Just a few structures that African Americans invented and it feature in the article “6 Historic Structures In America Built By Slaves” not a very happy title the most historical ones is The White House, U.S. Capital Building. Now those are building for business for decisions being made in this country but no one will ever know because we don’t get credit for most work that has been in from many years
I reside here in the United States of America. Currently, I am in Montgomery, Alabama, at a predominately white institute. I sit in a room full of white faces. I find myself intrigued, yet out of place as on the first day, my teacher transforms what I thought to be a typical literature class into a discussion of black women’s rights. I look around observing my peers’ faces as I begin to feel uneasy as the professors indulges into the lecture. I question myself as to why do I feel uncomfortable, as if my professor has revealed secret, government information. Why is it that being taught of black significance seem to compel an uproar within me, yet all of my life I have learned of astonishing white individuals while black excellence was only to be explored within the shortest month of the year? I find it so peculiar how my politics of location has caused me to be reluctant of speaking of black history or anything black in the presence of non-colored individuals.
I believe that Black History Month should not be taken away from us blacks for many valid reasons.One, it shows our strength as a nation and it shows how hard the people in our nation fought for their and our freedom. Two, it’s a time when people that are black can come together in memory of our historic past, a past that has largely been hidden from us. It is a time when we are given the opportunity to learn about many of our contributions and accomplishments, which have historically been taken for granted.Third, Black history month shows that everyone is equal. It doesn't matter what color skin you have or where you are from. Everyone is still the same inside. That's what many important slaves told us. It's an important time of remembrance
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 to the United States through politics, law, sports, art, entertainment, science, and many more. The goal of Black History Month is to enlighten the accomplishments made by African Americans, that in result, affected their entire race for the years
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 blacks and whites were separate and seen as indifferent. It was not until 1976 that President Ford graciously expanded it to a month (PBS). Black History Month is a time for celebration and remembrance -- or so America tells us. Black History Month