Black history month is almost over– it’s already February 19th, Week 8 of the infamous DU quarter system. So, why exactly does the United States nationally dedicate only one month to recognizing black history instead of dedicating, for example, an entire semester to learning more about the deep, rich history of black culture in America? For reference, my middle school dedicated an entire semester to learning about the Holocaust. Not to say that this is not important to our global history; however, it’s interesting that school systems (especially our textbooks, I’m looking at you Texas – listen to this NPR podcast to learn more) tend to briefly overlook the errors of our country’s past– slavery, treatment of Native Americans, systematic racism after abolition of slavery and after Jim Crow. It’s interesting that 28 states have one or more Holocaust memorials and/or museums to remember this tragedy. In contrast, if you’d like to learn about the tragedy of the Atlantic Slave trade, which the United States greatly benefited from, at a museum or mourn those lost at a memorial you will have to visit Whitney Plantation Museum in Wallace, LA; Lest We Forget Slavery Museum in Philadelphia, PA; National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum in Ash Grove, MI; or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI; according to Caroline Nyce.
Wall of Honor, Whitney Plantation Museum, photo by Kelli Washington.
So where did this one month of national recognition come from? Who decided this? Why February? Well, it started when a historian from Harvard, Carter G. Woodson, and Jesse E. Moorland, a renowned minister founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) – known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization is dedicated to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture to the global community. In 1926, the organization sponsored an annual Negro History week “choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.” As cities began adopting this week and the Civil Rights Movement caught steam, college students were celebrating black history the entire month. It still was not until 1976 that President Ford signed into law for February to be Black History Month. And there we have it. (History.com)
But is one month really enough? Does one month of recognition truly provide this country with truth about and understanding of black history in the United States?
I would argue that publicly recognizing black history for one month is not enough. It’s not enough to only “acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of.” This is not the way our country should learn about history that is vital to the foundation of our country (read American Freedom American Slavery or America’s Economy Was Built on Slavery, Not White Ingenuity) and its current social/economic/political/cultural problems. We need to do more than easy recognition.
This country, our country, would not have succeeded without African slave labor being used to build it from nothing to something. At one point, the number of slaves was greater than the number of citizens (American Freedom American Slavery). This country continued this institutionalized slavery after the abolition, after Jim Crow, and still today– watch 13th Amendment on Netflix to learn more about the continued slavery in the United States. The black community played a huge role and still does in the development of our country; however, much of their history is white-washed– erased through predominately white institutions (e.g. the media, education system) who changed the story to make white people seem better and/or take away positive accomplishments by people of color.
So, instead of waiting until February to celebrate and remember black history exists, treat learning black history and stories as important as the history we focused on in middle and high school, which is dominated by white, European culture. Furthermore, do not set away only 28 days to learn about black history; learn continuously and with whatever life brings you. If you’re not sure how or where to start, here’s some places to start.
Books.
You can’t go wrong with reading for understanding. It is in books that people can truly learn to understand themselves and others. There’s even research about empathy being a trait we learn instead of being born with, and learning empathy is found to be easiest through literature. This is because when reading we become the protagonist; we face the antagonists; we immerse into the story. So, here is a list of books to start your journey into understand black history more. 15 Brilliant Black History Books to Read for Black History Month.
Attend seminars.
DU is constantly hosting various seminars and there are posters everywhere! Be on the look out and try attending more informational sessions where you are the listener.
Google (search) everything.
Even though there are many horrible sources out there, googling a more specific topic unknown to you may provide some amazing sources. Nonetheless, remember to evaluate your sources. The best way I learned was OPVL – Origin, Purpose, Value, and Limitations. Remember to be aware of your sources origin (the author(s)), its purpose (what are they trying to convey), its value (what and how does it convey this message), and limitations (find as many areas as possible for this source to improve). With OPVL you are sure to find valid sources that can really enhance your learning.
Remember to take time to shut up and listen.
As much as walking in someone else’s shoes can allow you to understand and empathize with them, remember that you do not know the full experience. So, take time to really sit back and listen to those who hold this identity you do not. Whether it be personal accounts, reading historical fiction, or watching documentaries, continue learning about black history throughout the year.
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