As modern day Americans, we have lost awareness of the original purpose behind Black History Month.
Conceived in 1926, Black History Month was originally known as “Negro History Week.” African Americans from all across the country celebrated the accomplishments other African Americans made since the end of the Civil War.
But where is that enthusiasm now?
It’s true that the conflicts we face do not compare to those experienced at the turn of the 19th century, but Black History Month today has not reached Americans the way it was originally intended to.
It’s not due to the lack of information easily attained but the lack of drive or even motivation to find out more about the culture and history of African Americans.
We’ve become accustomed to the more popular African Americans in history. The overuse of these individuals has overshadowed our perceptions of others who were just as influential in the progress of the civil reformation.
Ever heard of Carter G. Woodson? Woodson, along with a group of other intellectuals, created the Journal of Negro History in 1916, which documented and archived black achievements. He wanted to expand the information on a national level.
Woodson along with his colleagues eventually created what we know today as Black History Month.
Before writing this column I had no idea who Woodson was. Why? I don’t know, but during this month, especially, we need to recognize the many contributions every single African Americans have made to the American social landscape.
