Black History Month
Carter Woodson was tireless in his lobbying to establish Negro History Week as a program to encourage the study of African-American history. He dedicated his career to the subject and wrote many books on the topic. Black history month focuses its attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all black people in ways that they weren’t honored in prior generations. Black history month also highlights all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to the African Americans living in the United States today. Celebrating black history month provides connection to the past, a designated time frame even though more recognition is needed.
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Many young people that don't know much about their black history get a chance to either connect with those who helped the world be free or get to understand what it was like during the times when colored people weren't free. It also helps create more equitable classrooms and provide children with the space to explore history from varying perspectives. While at times people only chose to focus on slavery and segregation there are many other things that have gone on during this time.
Another positive thing about black history month is that it has a full month to be celebrated. It was first celebrated during the second week of February in 1926 to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, and abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded to a month. African Americans have been through so much in the past years such as segregation, slavery, unequal pay, not being free, forced into war and more. All of these are things that have been fought to make a change for the people