February is the time of Valentines Day and the occasional leap year, but many people know it as Black History Month. Black History Month is one of the only national holidays in the United States of America that is for the acknowledgement and honour of African Americans in this its history. It is the time of the year when great African American figures are given praise and taught as “black history” in the school curriculum. Though its intentions are to celebrate accomplished African-Americans and their contributions, it is a poor method of sharing and learning black history. Black History Month should not be celebrated because it separates African American history from American history and belittles it by only giving it the shortest month of the year where its significance in, and influence, on this nation can be recognized and acknowledged.( "Brands: Black History Month Is Best Celebrated Year-round." Brands: Black History Month Is Best Celebrated Year-round. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Carter G. Woodson is known as the father of Black History. He is also the second African American to ever earn his Ph.D. On February 7th, 1926 Woodson organized Negro History Week which led to the recognition of African American achievements over the entire month of February every year which is known as Black History Month. Woodson believed that African Americans may have lacked the motivation to learn because they weren’t learning about their own heritage and culture. He worked towards equality and to make African Americans thought of as more than just a race. Without Woodson’s accomplishments the achievements of the African American race may still be ignored and overlooked today.
As mentioned in previous chapters the need to teach multiculturalism among young children. There are many misconceptions about multicultural teaching. For example, Bill Howe presents misconceptions about this theme and there were a few that were interesting such as, tour and detour approaches as appropriate in multicultural education. For example, Black history month is when many schools celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. It is great to celebrate the accomplishments of the diverse population in the United States, but why celebrate it one a year. Maya Angelou once remarked that she will be glad when Black History Month is no longer necessary. When all Americans are sufficiently a part of our courses of study and daily instruction,
Black History Month or African American History Month is celebrated every year to recognize the vital role of African American in the United States History. Black History Month has been honor in February. The main reasons to mark February as a History Month was because the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln who abolished slavery is in February. Also, the birthday of Frederick Douglass, who was a social reformer and abolitionist, is on the week of February. The other reason is an African American gain the right to vote in February. Those ideas make February commemorate African American and American History Month. There are several reasons for the celebration of African American History Month.
Black History Month makes us learn a lot about African American history right? Well, unfortunately you are wrong. Many influential people go unrecognized such as Robert Smalls because we cannot fit him like many others in the short month of February. Myself like many other Americans of all races and ethnicities believe that Black history month is an ineffective way to learn about all of the accomplishments of African Americans. We give the children and future of our country only a month to learn about all of these accomplishments. What is even worse is we do not even tell the whole story. What is taught is a very compressed version of the whole true story. What simply makes no
Black history month is a time to recognize and acknowledge the accomplishments and achievements of black Africans around the world. It is also a time to recognize the role that they, African Americans played in history. The month of February was chosen to be dedicated to black history month because of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas’ birthdays. I feel that black history month is a very important time of the year because we get the chance to learn how poorly and unfairly Africans were treated by Caucasians. Africans did not have the same rights to education, voting, health care etc. They were also mistreated by many Caucasians because of their skin colour. The racism was extremely bad and there was nothing you could do
Countryman gave a detailed account of the efforts of Black Power organizations to achieve the goal of educating the youth about black history
September 15, 1963 is a day that will live in infamy in the city of Birmingham Alabama. A day that will always be etched in the mind and memories of the African-American community of Birmingham Alabama and the rest of the South. It is a day that defined racial tension between the African-American and Caucasian community of the South But more importantly it’s a day that will forever haunt the minds of the family and friends of four young girls: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Denise Mcnair, and Cynthia Wesley.
Every year on February 1st people in America begin to celebrate this month as dedication to all African American. It goes by the name Black History Month. How about we quickly recount the appearance of Black History Month. Additionally called African American History Month, this occasion initially started as Negro History Week in 1926. It occurred amid the second week of February since it concurred with the birthdates of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Harvard-prepared history specialist, Carter G. Woodson, is credited with the production of Negro History Week. In 1976, the bicentennial of the United States, President Gerald R. Ford extended the week into an entire month.
Growing up black history month seemed to be something that was rehearsed, I remember in 4th grade my fellow classmates would choose someone they wanted to be, learn a short dialogue about that person’s life and that was it. Then it got creative, pieces of papers handed out to everyone in the class to color Martian Luther King and Rosa Parks when in all actuality there was more to our history. Over the course of time the perception of African Americans has continued to be the same and even with a legacy of people who have paved the way for us many people don’t seem to appreciate it. Black history month has lost its value over time especially in my generation.
Rose Kennedy coined the famous statement: “life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments”. Black History month focuses on specific African Americans whom have made an overall national difference within each Americans’ life. However, this month often forgets to praise those African Americans whom have made and are still making a difference within the lives of the people in their community. There is one specific African American lady whom has made a difference within the members of my small community, along with continuing to make a major impact within my life. Her name is Albertnetta Hamilton, and this is her story.
Strength as a community is one of the most powerful tools in the society we live in. As Canadians, we are proud of the rich history of breaking down barriers we hold with many diverse groups. As a nation – we serve to provide an exemplar to other nations about how Canadians embrace their unity and the demographics outlines by society do not create walls between Canadians. Through Black History month – we honor the sacrifices of the social minority groups who have continued to make an effort to become a part of Canadian society, and recognize the contributions these individuals have made towards our society. Since colonial times, this group of individuals have struggled to become recognized. African-Canadian history reveals the brutal injustices
Black History Month has had positive effects it has taught many kids in schools the rich culture of blacks in America, not just America but other western countries. It honors Historical leaders of the black community as well as creating awareness for other minorities such as Latinos. Therefore there should be natural move to develop a Latino history month in secondary schools because children should learn about Latino culture. Latinos especially Mexicans were a huge part of American history since the mid-1800’s. From 1848 to 1928 thousands of Mexicans were murdered by lynching in Southwestern states and states far from the border like Nebraska and Wyoming. It is evident Historians have swept it under the rug, but it has happened, and children have not been taught this, and this is coming from personal experience. This subject so far has never been brought up in High school. Cesar Chavez is well known in the Latino Community as someone who fought for
In the campus of the college she founded, by the most beautiful beach, humbly and quietly rests a great soul, Mary McLeod Bethune. Many people wonder why Black History Month is so important. Black History Month is not just a name, it is a celebration of innovative Black Americans like Mary McLeod Bethune, who didn't let racial discrimination and discouragement stop her from achieving her dreams against all odds.
On Monday, January 18th we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Annually, we pause to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, Jr. It is also a time for our country to reflect on what his compelling message meant and still means to our country. He was a champion of racial justice and equality.
As decades have passed there have been many issues that involve BHM. For example, BHM no longer has the same meaning that Carter G. Woodson intended for it when he created it in 1926. He “instituted Negro Week primarily for the benefit of black Americans who were unaware of their contributions to American History.” Woodson wanted to educate blacks and white Americans about black Americans and their accomplishments. Woodson believed that Negro History week would give a better appreciation to black Americans and their African ancestors. Unlike today where many people believe that BHM has became an ethnocentric and a cultural separation observance.