BHM Series #2: History and Future of Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, I’m reposting this previous series. A few years ago, (2015 to be exact!) I challenged myself to write 28 posts highlighting African-American History. This year I finally reached my goal!!! Check out my original post below which appeared on February 5, 2015. To see more posts in this series, click here.
Learn about the History of Black History Month
How did Black History Month come about? Who was responsible for making it a national celebration? Why do we celebrate Black History in February?
Black History Month provides a great opportunity to recognize the significant contributions made by people with African heritage. This month we celebrate scientists, artists, musicians political figures, educators and athletes, etc. Another aim of celebrating Black History Month is to bring to raise awareness about the harmful effects of racial inequality in our country.
(Answers to these and more questions are available here.)
How Should We Celebrate Black History Month Today?
Is a Black History Month still relevant today? Should it be all year?
This past Monday night, Nets point guard Jarrett Jack wore his own special version of a Black History Month T-shirt, with “month” crossed out and “YEARS” written below it.
Here’s what he had to say about the holiday:
“I thought it was a dope shirt,” Jack said. “I thought the shirt made a dope statement, and that’s just what I believe. I just think things shouldn’t just be highlighted in any sort of time frame. I think we should celebrate everything as much as we can.”
Or, Should We Abolish Black History Month?
Not everyone is a fan of Black History Month. In his new documentary, filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman, talks to folks across the country to find out whether the month-long celebration has created an artificial separation between Black History and American history, and whether its original purpose is still relevant today.
Black History Month originated in 1925 when the second week of February was made Negro History Week since it contained the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. Hari Sreenivasan reports on how some African-Americans now oppose the idea of dedicating a special month to black history.