Before Black history month was a month, it was originally Negro history week, created by historian Carter G. Woodson. In 1915, Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The association founded Negro History week, a celebration to take place across the nation during the second week of February. It was during the second week because former President Abraham Lincoln and slavery abolitionist, Frederick Douglass occured in that time. With this occasion, it sparked more various activities to observe this holiday.
In 1976 President George Ford acknowledged the event as Black History month and in present day there are other countries that have this holiday including the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. This year the selected theme of Black History month; The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
When celebrating Black history month it’s important to acknowledge the history of America, although focusing only on Black trauma of racism can be damaging. Highlight Black joy, Black love, and Black excellence. Black History month gives tribute to the Black individuals accomplishments that are often concealed. Here’s just some people who have shaped America, broke down obstacles, and have challenged the status quo.
Valerie Thomas
Valerie Thomas, American scientist, invented the patented illusion transmitter and was employed at Nasa. Born in 1943 in Maryland, as a child she was attentive to technology but wasn’t supported. Her father was interested in electronics although he wouldn't work with Thomas on her activities. Once she finished high school, she was finally able to journey through her delights as a major in physics at Morgan State University, where only two women including her majored in physics. After she graduated, she took the job of a data analyst at Nasa. Throughout her career at Nasa she assisted in forming computer program outlines and her capabilities led her to have numerous Nasa awards such as the Goddard Space Flight Center Award of Merit. Outside of her career she was an instructor for associations including the National Technical Association.
John Lewis
John Lewis was a congressman and activist during the Civils Rights movement. He participated in non-violent protests and was arrested but continued his mission. Lewis was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1n 1963, Lewis was the administrator of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. That year he assisted in preparation for the March on Washington. At the march he was the youngest speaker. In 1986 he was elected as a representative for Georgia. As a representative he stood for changes in healthcare, better education, and combating poverty. An award-winning co-author of the graphic novel series March, he has been granted various awards counting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Amanda Gorman
The youngest inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman is a graduate from Harvard university and struggled with a speech impediment. At the age of twenty-two, she has three books being released this year and has spoken for Malala Yousafzai. Gorman is the only poet to perform a poem at the SuperBowl. Born in Los Angeles, she started writing at a young age. Multiple awards were given to her such as the Webby awards and she received endorsement for Scholastic Inc, a global media company. In 2016 Gorman created the organization One Pen One Page, its goal is to encourage young people to speak up and assist in demolishing inequality. She also plans to run for president in 2036.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, first known as Cassius Clay, was an American boxer. He found out his knack for boxing at 12 and his first fight as a beginning boxer he won. In his boxing life in 1965 he was heavyweight world champion and in 1960 he was an Olympic gold medalist. Ali was also an activist and a member of the Nation of Islam, a Black Muslim establishment (converted in the 1970s to orthodox Islam). In 1967, he refused to serve for the Vietnam war. As a result, he was temporarily banned from boxing and had his world championship title taken away. Before he retired in 1981, he had a total of five losses, 56 wins, and 37 knockouts. One of his most infamous quotes is “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.”
Claudia Gordon
Claudia Gordon, was a counselor for former President Barack Obama. At the age eight she lost her hearing due to horrible pain in her ears. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the U.S. due to discrimination in her home country. Gordon attended Howard University with a major in political science receiving a bachelors in arts in 1993; then moving to American university where she finished law school. She was the vice president of the National Black Deaf advocates in 2004. Overall she didn’t let other people's negativity change her objectives stating,
“Those voices of doubt neith dictated my worth nor my capacity.”
Laverne Cox
An actress and dancer, Laverne Cox starred in TV shows while being for LGBTQ+ rights. During her youth, she was bullied for being feminine, however, she didn’t let go of her interests. Cox broke the status quo by being a transgender individual in Time magazine and Cosmopolitan. As a trans-rights advocate they have a column in the HuffPost where they wrote an essay regarding aspects and injustice of gender. Cox was an executive producer of The T Word and FreeCeCe, both documentaries on the perceptions of trans people. A groundbreaker, Cox won an Emmy for The T Word, making her the first transgender woman to win an Emmy as an executive producer.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm, born in New York became the first Black congresswoman in the United States, being a representative for New York and member of the Congressional Black Caucus. A segment of her childhood she had with her grandmother in Barbados. In 1972 she was the first Black woman to run for president for the Democratic region. During her campaign she survived three attempted assassinations. Once she left congress she taught at Mount Holyoke college. Chisholm is also the author of two books Unbought and Unbossed and The Good Fight. Chisholm was a co-founder of Unity Democratic Club and a member in the National Organization of Women. In addition, she was initiated into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
During this month take action. Donate to organizations, support Black businesses, have uncomfortable conversations with uneducated people. Own up to your privileges and check for internal biases. Remember, Black History Month may only be in February but should be acknowledged all year long.