Commemorating Black History Month
By Grace McGowan
February is Black History Month in the United States. During the next four weeks, we remember and honor African American history and achievements. So, how did Black History Month originate, and how can you celebrate Black History Month?
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, renowned historian and author, is recognized as the architect of Black History Month. In 1915, Dr. Woodson traveled to Chicago to attend a three-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation. He was inspired to form the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) – today called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) – dedicated to promoting African American achievements and history. In 1926, the group sponsored a national, week-long commemoration in February to do just that. Dr. Woodson’s message was “that Blacks should be proud of their heritage and that other Americans should also understand it” (NAACP). Across the country, cities, communities, schools, and history clubs organized celebrations, lectures, and displays of local and national Black achievements. From 1926 through the 1970s, communities, activists, and universities expanded this observance into Black History Month. In 1976, Black History Month was recognized by President Gerald Ford, and every American president since has endorsed February as Black History Month. The theme of Black History Month 2020 is African Americans and the Vote, since 2020 is the 150th anniversary of Black men’s suffrage and the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. This theme recognizes disenfranchisement that continues for both Black men and women today, the importance of Black elected officials, and calls us to remember Black activists’ roles in securing the vote for Black men and for women.
How can you celebrate Black History Month? A poster with all of Villanova’s Black History Month events can be found here. Attend one of the many lectures on campus, the screening of Queen and Slim, the diversity skit, or the ACV fashion show. There are lots of different events throughout the month to take advantage of right here on campus. In Philadelphia, there are museum exhibits, tours, plays, movie screenings, concert series, and more that you can attend this month. A list of Philadelphia’s Black History Month events can be found here. You can attend an exhibit of photographs from the march on Selma, go on a guided trolley tour of Philadelphia’s murals dealing with “civil rights, freedom, and equality,” attend free screenings of movies like Malcolm X and Moonlight, and do so much more. There are plenty of free events and many others in the $10-$20 price range. Also, take the opportunity to read some books outside of the classroom this month. If you want to read acclaimed books to celebrate Black History Month, click here. If you’re looking to read recently published books by Black authors, click here.
Finally, it is important to remember that we should not just commemorate Black history during February. According to the NAACP, Dr. Woodson hoped that one day we will no longer need to honor Black history with its own time of observance, and “all Americans [will] willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country.” Black History Month, then, is also a time for us to recognize the importance of Black history in American history, working to normalize the inclusion of Black history in our national memory.
