Discover the diverse history of Black Americans and the importance of celebrating Black History Month in February. Explore cultural heritage and honor Black Americans.
February Kenosha News Commentary (1/31/24) by Adelene Greene
Each year during the month of February many of us celebrate our diverse history during Black History Month. Black History Month was designated to recognize the many achievements and contributions of Black Americans in these United States.
Black History Month was initiated by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, starting out as a week of celebration called Negro History Week. The intent was to highlight the little-known accomplishments of African Americans that helped to shape our rich history in America.
Mr. Woodson selected February as the time to celebrate Negro History Week because both President Abraham Lincoln and Abolitionist Frederick Douglass had birthdays in February. In 1976, then President Gerald Ford issued an Executive Order that changed Negro History Week into a month-long celebration, declaring the entire month of February as Black History Month.
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Black History Month is an opportunity for all of us to dig deeper into our country’s unique and diverse history beyond what is written in traditional history textbooks. Most of us didn’t learn about many Black American trailblazers such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriett Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Bass Reeves, Ruby Bridges or John Hope Franklin, just to name a few.
We can all learn more about these individuals and many others by checking out books at the local library.
During February there are several events that offer a chance to learn more about African-American achievements. The annual African American Read-in (AARI) is held each year in February, both locally and nationally.
At the AARI, community members read and share a variety of literature that is written by African American authors about the Black experience. The Kenosha AARI event is being held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Kenosha public schools, colleges, universities and libraries offer many other opportunities to learn about African American history. You can check out the websites for the Kenosha Unified School District, Gateway Technical College, UW-Parkside, Carthage College and Herzing University to find out what events they are offering to highlight and celebrate Black History Month.
We are all enriched when we gain better understanding of our shared history and the collective contributions of all groups of people. That’s why Black History Month is a great time to enhance our knowledge and learn more about some of the Black Americans who did not make the pages of our American history books.
Don’t miss out on these opportunities to enhance your knowledge and learn more about a few of the many unsung heroes during Black History Month and beyond.
