Importance Of Black History Month

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

Instructors should teach more than just the same people and quotes used every year. People should be learning about the figures that have made an impact on today’s society, such as Sojourner Truth (an abolitionist and women 's rights activist), Hiram R. Revels (the first person of color to serve in the United States Senate and in the U.S. Congress overall), and Ralph Bunche (an American political scientist, academic, and diplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his late 1940s mediation in Palestine). The limiting and separating that is taking place needs to come to an end. Instead of dividing America, the people need to converge in order to overcome this

Woodson’s original intent was that this week would no longer need to exist when black history was justifiably represented in the story of America. Black history celebrations have been going on for over six decades in one form or another, and yet the cycle of racial intolerance and racial tolerance in this country has been remarkably constant over that period. The United States would be better off if people would value cultures and races different from their own as well as respect and appreciate them. Someone’s character and personality is what should be seen, not the color of their skin. Stop labeling people, White, Black or Negro, Hispanic or Mexican, Asian or Chinese, and just incorporate all historical persons having to do with United States history as such. Black history, along with other races’ history, needs to be consistent and persistent, not restricted to a month. Despite whatever improving effects black history month was supposed to have had, the fact remains that it has failed to have any lasting impact on race relations in the United States. America needs to take the next step in this journey and end Black History