Black History Month

Black History Month

Joy, struggle, perseverance, and strength encompass our history plus legacy as black people. Black History Month is not just about one month out of the year where we celebrate black cultural excellence. It is also a time of the year where there is the hallowed renewal of the bonds of love, camaraderie, and friendship among the black community worldwide. It is the time of the year when black men, black women, and black children come together to represent our Blackness and recognize that the goal of freedom is crucially part of our psyches. From works of art to cuisine in the cookout, black creativity is ever present in the world society. Life hasn't been a crystal stair for us. You can look at the Maafa, Jim Crow, police brutality, and other horrendous injustices to witness that. Yet, we also comprise of heroic Brothers and heroic Sisters who not only spoke up for freedom, but they organized, sacrificed, and enacted social activism in order for constructive change to exist. We can witness that in the strength of Paul Robeson and in the compassion from Sojourner Truth. I celebrate Black History Month, because I have a right to do it and I want to do it. I celebrate it as a way for me to express reverence and honor to my black ancestors who sacrificed so much so I could live in this 21st century world. I celebrate my black heritage, because I love my black melanin and my black humanity period.


Our Blackness is eternal and it is invulnerable. Before the Constitution was written, we were here. Before the existence of ancient Rome and ancient Greece, we were here. We will still be here to work together, to stand up together, and to reach the Promised Land that we justly deserve. Our contributions are lengthy from engineering greatness, scientific discoveries, mathematical ingenuity (as expressed by Annie Easley, Evelyn Boyd Granville, Fern Hunt, etc.), musical eminence, and to literary genius. We know all about using our vernacular and our creative energy to shine our lights in the Universe magnificently. We witness a new generation as we approach 2020. During this generation, the same issues of economic inequality, racism, ecological issues, and discrimination exist. Also, we see new forms of technologies found in social media, independent online streaming services, advanced musical technological entities, and advanced cell phone devices. Likewise, regardless of what generation that we presently live in, the same goal of black liberation is etched in our consciousness. Nothing will turn us around, because the essence of our disposition is about freedom and liberation (which has been advocated by Septima Clark, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Ella Baker, Medgar Evers, etc). Our fashion, our style, our inventions, and our beauty can never be duplicated. Our soul is truly gorgeous and during this time on this Earth, we recognize our intrinsic value. Also, Black History Month is not just a national affair. Black History Month also deals with the contributions of black people globally. The Africans (Africa is the Motherland filled with advanced civilizations, diverse cultures, and cultural greatness), the Afro-Caribbeans, the Afro-Europeans, and other black people of the African Diaspora are our black Sisters and our black Brothers too. That is why I will always believe in Pan-African unity.


We honor all black people worldwide too. Carter G. Woodson was the founder of Black History Month. I certainly remember singing Lift Every Voice and Sing (which was created by James Weldon Johnson) when I was in elementary school in Virginia to commemorate Black History Month. It was a special moment in my life. Our history didn't start with the international slave trade. Our history commenced from the start of humanity itself. From the voice of Mahalia Jackson to the mathematical excellence of Marjorie Lee Brown, we continue to rise. Additionally, Black History is not a one month affair. It should be honored and studied year round 24/7 365. We are the origin of human life. Our cause for justice is just and our strength is certainly powerful. Fundamentally, we are a strong people. It takes a strong people to survive centuries of brutal mistreatment and continue to persevere to be excellent contributors to world history. It takes a strong people to stand up and speak up for our human rights while showing that innovative power at the same time. Black History Month is celebrated globally in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and in other locations. During this 21st century era of time, we are definitely in support of the movement for social justice.

The Origin

Black History Month has a long history. The inventor was Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was an African American historian, author, journalist, and scholar. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. He has been called the "father of black history." He worked with many black scholars like W. E. B. Du Bois, John E. Bruce, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, Hubert H. Harrison, and T. Thomas Fortune. Back in 1926, Woodson formed the Negro History Week. This was near the birthday of Frederick Douglass on February 14. He wanted to teach the history of American black people in public schools across America. Very few educational authorities supported this idea. Many city administrations like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. allied with his plans though. States like in North Carolina, Delaware, and West Virginia agreed with his goal. Woodson publicly wanted black people to know of their history as an important part of building up the components of any society. The reason is that in order for us to know where we are going, we have to have a firm understanding about our past and the beauty of our black heritage. We have made glorious contributions to civilizations from the West African civilizations (of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai) to the modern day black scientists during the 21st century. There is constant news of black people making a difference in communities all of the time. Our imagination is incredible. Many churches shown information about black history too. Later, Negro History Week grew in popularity from being advanced by black history clubs, teachers, and progressive leaders. Mayors in America endorsed it as a holiday. On February 21, 2016, 106 year old Washington D.C. resident and school volunteer Virginia McLaurin visited the White House as part of Black History Month. When asked by the president why she was there, McLaurin said, "A black president. A black wife. And I’m here to celebrate black history. That’s what I'm here for."

Black History Month, as we see it today, came about in 1976 in America. Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University proposed it in 1969. They got it in Kent State in February of 1970. In 1976, Black History Month was celebrated nationwide. Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the 1970's. It has been celebrated first in the United Kingdom by 1987. This was organized by the Ghanian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo. In 1995, Canada had it. It officially recognized it by 2008 in Canada. Black History Month is here to stay.

Unsung Heroes

Showing the lives of unsung heroes is important, because heroes aren't just those who are readily known. Heroes are many human beings whose monumental achievements are seldom mentioned in our society. Jessie Carney Smith came into Fisk University at 1965. She is a great black librarian. She greatly wanted to advance black literature. Other unsung, black heroes, who are librarians, are Satia Orange, Robert Wedgeworth, Alma Dawson, Gladys Smiley Bell, Clara Hayden, and others in America. Roger Arliner Young was a Sister who studied many sciences. She studied zoology, biology, marine biology, and other subjects. She was the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology. She broke down barriers involve science. She went into Howard University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania. She was the first African American woman to research and professionally publish in the field of major science. Ruth Ellen Moore was the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. in natural science from the Ohio State University in 1933. Euphemia Lofton Haynes was the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from Catholic University of America in 1943. Edward Bouchet was an African American physicist and educator. He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. form any American University. He completed his dissertation in physics at Yale in 1876. He was a great scholar. Bouchet was born in New Haven, Connecticut. To this very day, the American Physical Society (APS Physics) gives the Edward A. Bouchet Awards to some of America's most excellent physicists for their contributions to physicists. Shirley Ann Jackson was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mae Jemison was a physician and the first African American woman who traveled into space. To this very day, Mae Jemison advocates for STEM field education for black people, people of color, young people, and women. Jeanette J. Epps is also a famous NASA astronaut and he has a Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. She was born in Syracuse, New York. Epps is an excellent human being.

Another unsung black hero for Black History Month is Sister Florence Beatrice Price. She was a famous composer. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She studied composition throughout her life. She was part of the Clark Atlanta musical department. She was friends with Margaret Bonds, Langston Hughes, and Marian Anderson (who sang a song in Washington, D.C. in 1939). She or Florence Beatrice Price also used spirituals in her composition of music. She taught music as a music teacher. She could play the piano and other instruments. She was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, and the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra. She was very religious and included religious themes in her music. She was innovative, talented, and highly determined to express herself. She lived in Chicago and passed away in Chicago in 1953. She was born in 1887. Her legendary stature and excellent gifts are always appreciated by us. Rest in Power Sister Florence Beatrice Price.

Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs was a great black woman who was a poet, a social activist, an artist, and an educator. She promoted freedom and she opposed segregation. She also publicly fought imperialism and war. She co-founded the Ebony Museum of Chicago, now the DuSable Museum of African American History. She also helped to establish the South Side Community Art Center, whose opening on May 1, 1941. At DuSable High School, Margaret Burroughs was a great educator. Her museum was created by black people who desired to show the wonderful beautiful culture of black people. She used her art to advance tolerance, great imagery, and the lesson that justice is the aim that we all seek fully. She lived from 1915 to 2010 in 95 years. Rest in Power Sister Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs.

Recently was the Birthday of the late, great poet Langston Hughes. He wrote literature that motivated change and caused people to think about life in unique, creative ways. He opposed injustice and believed heavily in the power of human expression. His work were anthems of the African American experience and of the human experience in general. He defined the complexities of dreams, the value of immigrants, the beauty of Blackness, and he exposed the eternal enemy of imperialism. He was a playwright. Like Lorraine Hansberry, he wanted to show his work not just as a means to entertain, but as a way for him to forthrightly engage the human mind to advance equality and justice. He was born in Joplin, Missouri. He saw three quarters of the 20th century in breadth. Harlem Renaissance history definitely includes him. Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Aaron Douglas were other legends during that time period (of the Harlem Renaissance) who lived during his lifetime. Langston Hughes loved Harlem and he passed away in 1967. Eloquence in his words and power in his voice represented the total essence of Langston Hughes' legacy.
Rest in Power Brother Langston Hughes.

Our Culture

One aspect of black culture is that it is diverse. That is the beauty of black people. We are diverse. We are musicians, scientists, lovers of art, athletes, lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc. Therefore, our culture is wide ranging. Stevie Wonder shown the world about love and creative, musical expression. Harriet Tubman taught us about strength and courage. Coltrane taught us about how powerful and influential jazz is. The recent Black Panther film outlines the large popularity of science fiction in the black community. Michael Jordan, Carmelita Jeter, Muhammad Ali, Althea Gibson, Debi Thomas, Jackee Joyner Kersee, Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, Laila Ali, Wilma Rudolph, Lisa Leslie, Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Cheryl Miller, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, John Carlos, Tommie Smith, Satchel Page, Brianna Rollins, Claressa Sheilds, Gail Devers, Michelle Carter, Lynette Woodard, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Gail Devers, Magic Johnson, Venus Williams, and Serena Williams have shown amazing athleticism. Black people have written masterful literature spanning centuries and thousands of years too. No one can forget about Toni Morrison's eloquent descriptions of black life. Lorraine Hansberry, who was from the South side of Chicago, wrote classic plays about the realities of black American life like Raisin in the Sun. She was also a great social activist who wanted racial injustice to end, so equality can be made real for all. Lorraine Hansberry was a friend of Paul Robeson and she worked with Robeson plus DuBois on the magazine called "Freedom." Hansberry had ties to anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements. She had ties to communists plus socialists in her life and I'm definitely inspired by her heroism. Lorraine Hansberry wanted to be known as a progressive radical who sought for the liberation of black people. She believed in human justice faithfully. I commend her courage. James Baldwin articulately outlined the viciousness of racism and how evil class oppression was too. Gwendolyn Brooks wrote poetry which was magnificent and inspired black people to achieve their own dreams and aspirations. She was born and raised in Chicago (in Bronzeville). Her literature gave voice to the concerns and aspirations of the poor and the oppressed. Brooks was a staunch opponent of apartheid, poverty, and racial injustice. Art is a great part of our culture as well. Jacob Lawrence, Kara Walker, Sam Gilliam, Faith Ringgold, Mickalene Thomas, and other black artists  have used form, depth, contrast, and other components of art to outline their talents (and motivate inquiry, inspiration, and the love of wisdom).

Our Inspiration

Our inspiration is great, because our resiliency, our passion for liberation, and our intellectual curiosity are firmly established in our mindsets. Also, we are inspired by tons of people fighting for educational justice and racial justice too. Institutional racism ought to be gone and we love our Black identity too. We don't live in a Utopian society either. Black students are more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than white students (even if the students are equally violating the same policy. It is a known fact that some teachers have spewed racist comments against black students all over the world not just in America). We have racial disparities in sentencing. We have a brutal War on Drugs harming communities including families. We have an epidemic of black women, black girls, and black people in general being violently abused emotionally, sexually, and physically. That is wrong. We have intense police terrorism against the black communities nationwide and worldwide (as found in Canada, the UK, France, the USA, etc.). Therefore, we have hope for the future, but we aren't naive. We have tons of work to do. Also, it is important to give credit to tons of activists from Seattle to New York City making a difference in society plus standing up against racism. Students and teachers have stood up against racism at Washington Middle School in Seattle. That is an example of that work being enacted comprehensively. They have declared February 5-9, 2018 Black Lives Matter at School Week. When a racist like Trump spews openly racist lies about Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador, it is our responsibility to support anti-racist pedagogy and support black humanity.

Also, I am in total solidarity with black immigrants. Black immigrants contributed heavily to black history and culture in America. Lupita Amondi Nyong'o, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ilhan Omar, Lorraine Toussaint, and other black immigrants in America enacted greatness in a multiplicity of ways. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration or the BAJI is doing hard work in showing compassion for black immigrants and defending their human rights. Black immigrants are growing fast in their population. Many of them suffer overt discrimination and unjust deportation as well. Likewise, I condemn xenophobia in the strongest terms possible as it is wrong, it is evil, it is unjust, and it is based on bigotry. About 5 million foreign born black human beings live in America right now. Black immigrants make up 10% of the total black population in America. Therefore, we need a more compassionate Visa, asylum, DACA, refugee, TPS (or temporary protected status) policies so immigrant rights are completely protected and enhanced. We are in complete solidarity with black immigrants worldwide.

Our Eyes are on the Prize

We are here and we a'int going anywhere. We have lived in the Earth for thousands of years. We overcame a lot and we are still here to provide hope for humanity and do the great work of improving society at large. During this Black History Month, it is a time to know more about black people. Also, it is about seeing that the liberation of black people is tied to the liberation of the rest of the human race. No one can be truly free unless all black people are free. Also, part of our legacy is social activism. From the labor rights movement to the pro-environment movement, black people have always been leaders in social change. Today is the 50th Year Anniversary of the Memphis Sanitation strike (Memphis is in the South and many black people back then were restricted in land rights, voting rights, educational opportunities, and other human rights). The sanitation workers' strike was about black men and black women uniting to fight for the right of sanitation workers to have unions, to have benefits, to have living wages, and to have other economic rights that they deserve. Many of the sanitation workers were sharecroppers in the Jim Crow South. The struggle took many days. Many people protested, organized plans, used civil disobedience, etc. against the reactionary former Memphis mayor Henry Loeb (who even resisted the workers from forming a public union). Baxter Leach was one surviving striker who loved what he did 50 years ago. Many of the strikers worked together in knowing each other's wives, children, and friends for the common cause of economic justice. Also, Dr. King cam into the city of Memphis as a way for to him to express solidarity with the workers and he advocated a boycott, civil disobedience, and other acts of resistance against the recalcitrant power structure. James Riley, J.L. McClain, and others did their part as striking workers. The strike existed after the unfortunate deaths of Robert Walker and Echol Cole who just wanted protection from the rain. 1,300 men were involved in the protests. They were victorious via courage and commitment to the cause of workers' rights. It is better to be a radical black person for liberty than a compromiser for the status quo. Therefore, the time is always right to do right. Also, we honor the black heroes of every background who stood up for the diverse movements of social change as well. Therefore, we love our black heritage, Black is Beautiful, and we believe in human justice forever.

Our eyes are on the prize.

By Timothy