The Black History Month: The Importance Of Black History

1233 Words3 Pages

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 United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Black history month is observed in schools, churches, and in different countries. Some people argue that designating only one specific month to focus on African American history is just not enough time, …show more content…

In 1986 President Ronald Reagan and the United States Congress passed a law 99 to 244 members, which formally established black history month as a federally designated observance. During the 1980’s the concept black history month spread internationally. The United Kingdom the greater London council and a coalition of African European leaders helped to initiate a black history month in Britain, which is observed in October. It is imperative that we continue to fight for black history month. Black History Month is an integral part of our nation’s custom in which we continue to encourage positive models of touching historical events, by showing outstanding leadership, diversity and steps towards cultural change. In 1926, Woodson stated that this remembrance is not only profoundly momentous for the African American community, but imperative for the greater understanding of national and world history. It is connected to the ironic history of this nation, and by honoring Black History Month everyone can be included in a tradition of acknowledgement, insertion and community engagement. Historical knowledge is no more than critically observing the past and carefully constructing the future. We should have more educational curricular activities related to black history …show more content…

In 2012, observances of black history month were held in nearly every city and state in the united states. The public school system in most states are directed to present at least some programs aimed at addressing african american history and culture. In addition , numerous artistic and cultural presentations are scheduled to coincide with black history month. Many industries, from culinary to film, schedule events and programs specific to african american experience. The pan african american film festival was the largest event held in the united states to celebrate black history month in 2012, featuring two weeks performances by african american artist and filmmakers. The us bureau of labor statistics and the census bureau release a special set of statistics regarding the state of african american population each year to coincide with the beginning of black history month. Official black history month themes in twenty first century have included “celebrating community : a tribute to black fraternal, social, and civic institutions” (2006) and “ african americans and the civil war” (2011). The 2012 theme for Black history month was “black women in american culture and history”. Black History Month is observed in schools, churches, and different

Show More
Related

  • Analysis of The Black Power Mixtape

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    This documentary not only talks about a significant period in African American and American history; it also gives us a mo...

    Read More

  • Carter G Woodson Essay

    1738 Words  | 4 Pages

    For in an extraordinary career spanning three crucial decades, the man and the history became one, so much so that it is impossible to deal with the history of black people without touching, at some point, the personal history of Carter Woodson, who taught the teachers, transformed the vision of the masses and became, almost despite himself, an institution, a cause and a month. One could go further and say that the scientific study of black history began with Woodson, who almost single-handedly created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and the prestigious Journal of Negro History. Not content with these achievements, he ventured into the field of mass education, creating the annual black history celebrations.

    Read More

  • B. Stewart's Essay 'The Field And Function Of Black Studies'

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most public schools in the United States kept it simple and straight to the point. They taught, what we know as, “Black History” from the media’s standpoint. This concept neglects the true meaning of black history in the educational system, making it hard for African Americans to be prideful in who they are. Knowing history other than what the school systems tells us African Americans would not only give us more knowledge, but would allow us to stand up against others when try to put down our history. Media gives us mainly negative perspectives with very little positives of our

    Read More

  • African American History in A Red Record

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    Slavery is one of America’s biggest regrets. Treating a human with the same beating heart as a low, worthless piece of trash only because of skin color is a fact that will forever remain in our country’s history. Those marked as slaves were sold, tortured, demoralized, raped and killed. After the Emancipation in which slavery was illegalized, many would think that the horrors were over and that America as a whole started a new leaf. Unfortunately, the man of the South, refusing to move forward tried to keep the colored man down as best they could. Their premeditated plans and actions to find an excuse to continue torturing and killing the Negro man continued for years, which are documented in “A Red Record”. This story captures the grueling events African Americans were put through and the unfairness of the times. By capturing and sharing this history it will make sure these mistakes can never be repeated again .

    Read More

  • Black Culture Appropriation Essay

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although an effort is made in connecting with the blacks, the idea behind it is not in understanding the blacks and their culture but rather is an exploitative one. It had an adverse impact on the black community by degrading their esteem and status in the community. For many years, the political process also had been influenced by the same ideas and had ignored the black population in the political process (Belk, 1990). America loves appropriating black culture — even when black people themselves, at times, don’t receive much love from America.

    Read More

  • HBCUs: Relevance in 21st Century

    2163 Words  | 5 Pages

    Imagine this; the year is 1836. You are a 17-year-old student interested in learning more about the world around you; however, such an opportunity won’t come your way because you are black. Due to this fact you have no hope of furthering your education past the reading, writing, and arithmetic their slave masters taught your parents. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. The minds of many African American’s go to waste due to individual ignorance of their people and thus of themselves. Historically Black Colleges and Universities were put into effect to educate the black mind and eliminate the ignorance. The discussion of whether Historically Black Colleges and Universities are still necessary in the 21st century has taken place in recent years. Within the discussion many debate that due to the fact that the world is no longer like it was in the 1800’s, the time period in which Historically Black Colleges and Universities were created, the purpose of them no longer exists. However, the cultural significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities seems to be overlooked by those who argue their importance and relevance in a time where blacks have the option of attending predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The purpose and grounds on which Historically Black Colleges and Universities were developed are still being served. The need to increase efforts to not only rouse, but support Historically Black Colleges and Universities is necessary now more than ever in order to preserve our past, fulfill the purpose of our present, and ensure our future.

    Read More

  • KWANZAA: Rediscovering our African Culture

    1691 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kwanzaa is not a religious, political or heroic celebration rather a cultural one. It begins the day after Christmas and runs until January 1st. At the time of it's inception, Blacks were beginning to question the American culture around them and how they were reflected in it. One of the most glaring and incongruous reflections was in the Christmas holiday season. The mass commercialism of the season placed a hardship on poorer Americans, of which Blacks were a high percentage. Also all the trappings of the Christmas season reflected the dominant society, i.e. no Black Barbie dolls, few black or ...

    Read More

  • The Impact Of The Louisiana Purchase

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    The African-American Years: Chronologies of American History and Experience. Ed. Gabriel Burns Stepto. New York: Charles Scribner 's Sons, 2003.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Celebrating Black History Month

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Reflective Essay: The African American History Museum

    1064 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thought to contain a hundred years of one of the races of people that helped build and shape America as we know it. Being overlooked for centuries. IN 2003 Bush signed a law creating the African American history museum. It was one of the most educational and invigorating experiences of my life. Not many The museum is not only enlighten but enriching by capturing African American history in its entirety.

    Read More

  • Essay On Black History Month

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    This is because the entire history of the black population is taught to the children in this month implying that all the achievements made by blacks are so little that they can be analyzed in a month. The other reason why the Black History Month shows racism is the idea that it was fixed in the shortest month of the year to further show how few the accomplishments made by blacks are. Since the accomplishments made by the blacks are only taught during this month, it shows that the teachers would not have to bother themselves with it any other time throughout the year making it significantly easy for the students to forget it as well as the accomplishments made by the black people. In addition, racism is also seen in this because there is no white history month. This can be used to show that the whites’ accomplishments are so many that they are celebrated all year round.

    Read More

  • Deculturalization and the struggle for equality

    1787 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Importance of African-American Studies

    1857 Words  | 4 Pages

    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 improve the state of being for African-Americans.

    Read More

  • African American Studies Essay

    1286 Words  | 3 Pages

    Next is John Henrik Clark, who refers to African America Studies as Africana Studies because he believes that Black tells you how you look, not who you are. He goes on to state that he calls African American Studies “a dilemma at the crossroads of history” (Clark 32). This is because European people knew history well enough to distort it and use it, as well as political weapons such as the gun and bible, to control the world. This is the reason why a look at African culture will show what Africana Studies are about or should be about. Africana Studies should embrace the Africans all around the world, in places like Africa, North and South America, the Caribbean Islands even those in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Clarke states that Africa is

    Read More

  • Black History Importance

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    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...

    Read More

More about The Black History Month: The Importance Of Black History

Open Document