Every year I hear a lot of people make the joke “Is Black History Month February because it’s the shortest month?” While February may be the shortest month, there is a lot more to Black History Month and why we celebrate it when we do.
Black History Month began with one person, Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was a historian and was president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). In 1926, Woodson and the group sponsored a national Negro History Week. They selected the second week of February because it contained the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12th) and Frederick Douglass (believed to be born on February 14th). Due to media and newspapers, the week quickly became a month, and, in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month.
Today, Black History Month is just as important as when it was started. We use this month to learn about the struggles that African Americans have experienced for centuries and still endure today. Sophomore Khloe Chapel states, “ Black History Month is still important to celebrate because it’s necessary to shine light on everything that African Americans have overcome throughout the years.”
We use it to represent undervalued historical figures, such as scientists and inventors. Each year South Carolina creates an African American History Calendar with each month featuring a different African American Public Figure such as A’ja Wilson, a professional basketball player. As well as Jackie J Whitmore, who worked for the Department of Health and Environmental control, and as a social worker for Palmetto Health. Also, new to Greenville, are the Black History in Greenville Bus Tours that visit different civil rights sites, and public art pieces downtown.
Since 1928, Black History Month has had a different theme to highlight different parts of the African American Community. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts. Whether it be painting, sculpting, or photography, you can find exhibits both online and in person displaying the art of proud African Americans.