Black History Month

The first of our February Month-long holidays is Black History Month. This celebration is recognized in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Black History Month began as a weeklong event called “Negro History Week,” which took place in the second week of February. This began in 1926 in the United States, and is the result of the direct efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson. The rational for selecting the second week, was that both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays fell on this week. 

As the popularity and understanding of the importance to promote the history of African heritage, slavery, and the many positive influences of some notorious African descended men and women, Negro History Week was upgraded to Black History Month in 1976. The United Kingdom jumped on board in 1987, and it wasn’t until nearly ten years later, in 1995 that Canada began to recognize this celebration. 

Interestingly, Black History Month has been met with criticism. Some feel a month should not be dedicated to one race, while others feel the fact that it happens to be the shortest month to be an issue. A noted quote on Wikipedia from Morgan Freeman states, “I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history.” This is obvious evidence of Freeman’s criticism of Black History Month. And, while I can see his point, I, as a white Canadian, feel that there is a legitimate need to showcase and continue the educational value of this event. I think it is important to reflect on the past and to evaluate how far we’ve come, if at all.  And, as we’ll see through the year, there are other like themed celebrations to come, which showcase the various cultures and history of other races, genders, and ethnicities. The worst case scenario, in my opinion, is that it sparks a means for individuals to talk, which can lead to great things.