31 January 2008

Black History Month Honors Stories of Determination and Triumph

African Americans' contributions to United States are highlighted each February

Washington -- Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles -- slavery, prejudice, poverty – as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life.

2008 marks the 82nd annual celebration since Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian, instituted Negro History Week in 1926.  He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial.  President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” 

Woodson, the son of former slaves in Virginia, realized that the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent were being ignored or misrepresented.  He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which supports historical research, publishes a scholarly journal and sets the theme for Black History Month each year.

The theme for 2008, “Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism,” honors Woodson’s contributions and his belief “that America should embrace the cultural differences that newcomers brought with them to America,” according to the ASALH Web site.  Woodson and other black intellectuals of the early twentieth century believed that democracy “required tolerance of difference and could sustain those differences in harmony.”

John Fleming, ASALH president and director emeritus of the Cincinnati Museum Center, believes Black History Month should focus on both positive and negative aspects of the black experience.

“Certainly, struggle has been an ongoing theme in our history from the very beginning,” he said.  “However, we were not slaves prior to being captured in Africa -- and while slavery was part of our experience for 250 years, we have a hundred-and-some years in freedom that we also need to deal with. That’s not to diminish the slavery period, but it’s not just the most encompassing thing.”

Fleming said he has seen “substantial progress on many fronts,” noting that about 10 percent of congressional representatives are black as well as hundreds of mayors across the United States, and that more blacks are “moving into the middle class and various professions.” (See related article.)

“At the same time there are still major problems that have to be addressed, one being the permanent underclass in urban areas now -- we don’t seem to be able to break that cycle of poverty. And there are still some major rural pockets of poverty” such as in the Mississippi Delta, he continued.

“I’m glad to see the National African American Museum being developed on the Mall, which will tell a much broader story,” said Fleming.  In 2003, President George W. Bush signed legislation to establish the new museum, which will be located on the National Mall near the Washington Monument.  Although the new museum has not yet been built, it has launched a photo exhibition that is housed at the National Portrait Gallery.  (See related article.)

“From talking with young people, black and white students, the lack of knowledge about African-American history is just appalling,” Fleming said.  This applies to the general population, he said: “That’s why Carter G. Woodson came out with Negro History Week in the first place.”

“I think that African-American history gets more attention during February than during any other time of year, “ he said, “and I think it’s an opportunity for us in the field to emphasize that it is something that should be studied throughout the year.”

Each year, the U.S. president honors Black History Month, or African American History Month as it is also called, with a proclamation and a celebration at the White House.  States and cities hold their own events around the country, and media feature topics related to black history.

“Throughout our Nation's history, African Americans from all walks of life have offered their talents to the betterment of American society,” Bush said in this year’s proclamation, issued on January 29.  “We are reminded of their courage in their struggle to change the hearts and minds of our citizens.  While much progress has been made, we must continue to work together to achieve the promise and vision of our great Nation.” (See related text.)

ASALH has its headquarters in Washington, where Woodson lived from 1915 until his death in 1950.    His home is designated a national historic site. More information is available at the ASALH Web site.

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