Celebrating Black History Month

Imani Farley - Sophomore | Features

Black History Month was created by Carter G. Woodson after noticing that most history lessons were taught without the presence of African Americans. In 1915, he founded what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which was created to focus on promoting Black students and celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history.

In 1926, Woodson and ASALH campaigned for a history week on the second week of February that landed on both Frederick Douglass’ birthday on Feb. 14 and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12. Since then, this history week has grown to last the whole month to ensure that everyone has a chance to learn about the rich history of Africans Americans.

Black History and movements like Black Lives Matter are not political organizations. Black History month is used to learn the history that isn’t taught in today’s history lessons. Black history is more than slavery and segregation, it is the breaking of boundaries that separated minorities from everyone else for so long. Black History Month exists because African Americans were standing up for themselves against oppressors and inspired others to do the same.

Even though many of the biggest points in Black history seem like they were a very long time ago, very many changes happened recently as well. Besides obvious ones like Barack Obama being elected president and Kamala Harris becoming vice president, many famous African Americans were honored for their achievements.

Ruth Carter, the costume designer for the hit movie “Black Panther”, was the first African American person to win an Academy Award for Best Costume design. Jordan Peele also took home an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Black History has always and will continue to change the world as we know it. Many African Americans were not able to claim their fame until a while later. Grace Wisher, a 13 year old African American girl, contributed to the making of the American flag. Another instance of this is Esther Jones as Betty Boop. She was the real inspiration for the character, but was then taken credit for by the actress Mae Questel.

As more information is uncovered about African American history, we learn more and more about the unfairness that each person had to go through and how much they had to achieve just to be recognized. Even when they had gone above and beyond expectations and done more than others, the oppression of African Americans still continues today. Use this month of history to educate yourself and others about the trying times that occur in a life different from what you experience.