Black History Month is here. It is a time when we celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of African-American people.
Parades happen, special church services occur and special awards are presented. It is a time for both reflection and joy. I am a Baby Boomer, thus my reflections go back a long way.
I can remember when we had only one week to honor the contributions of black people. Carter G. Woodson is in the minds of many, especially of my generation, as the chief architect of black history commemorations. They were traditionally held during the second week of February, which was chosen because Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was Feb. 12th and Frederick Douglass’ birthday was Feb. 14th. Both Lincoln, who was White, and Douglass, who was Black, were considered important figures during that time in our country’s history.
My earliest memories of Black History Week started while I was in elementary school. In school, we learned that Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light. We also found out about strong black women such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. Over time in high school, we read works by famous black writers such as Sarah Wright and Ralph Ellison.
I also had indelible memories at my church and at my home. The black churches in my hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C. had special programs in honor of Black History Week. Men like Carl H. Russell, who was a city alderman and owner of Russell’s Funeral Home, were honored. Sitting and listening at church about the contributions of Black people gave us a great deal of pride. It made us realize that Black people did have a history, a proud and rich history.
In retrospect, Black history was celebrated every day at my house. My mom and dad were constantly telling me about the men and women who came before me. I can remember my dad telling me about Michael Manley, a Jamaican prime minister. You see, my dad was Jamaican and my mom, American. My mom was a history-maker herself, as she was in the first class of nursing graduates from Kate Biting Reynolds Hospital. This hospital served the Black people in Winston-Salem. Black people fondly referred to it as “Katie B.”
Interestingly, Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in Ohio initially proposed Black History Month in February 1969. According to the history books, the celebration of the first Black History Month took place at Kent State in 1970. President Gerald Ford later recognized it during a program honoring the nation’s bicentennial.
