The Purpose of Black History Month

Black History Month was originally know as Negro History Week created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and observed the second week of February. Dr. Woodson, a staunch Republican, choose the second week of February to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. He created this week to acknowledge the accomplishments of Black Americans that were being omitted from school curriculums.

Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 and the Journal of Negro History in 1916. He was dedicated to assisting in the education of black and white Americans about the history of Black Americans.

In 1976, Dr. Woodson's week long observance was expanded to a month long observance officially becoming Black History Month.

The purpose of Black History Month was to educate, not to be about black firsts and a parade of black icons. Being an educated man, Dr. Woodson intention was to get around the institutional hatred of his era and have Black history be included in the teaching of American history.

Dr. Woodson wanted Black Americans to understand the strong family values, work ethic, sense of individual responsibility, entrepreneurship, and incredible dignity of Black Americans and their ancestors.

Dr. Woodson wanted Black American to be inspired so they would not become dependent on the government but on themselves. He also believed that if white American knew about the history of Black Americans, it would knock down the walls of stereotyping.

I am very happy Dr. Woodson's vision of wanting to bring awareness of the history of Black Americans to everyone made him create Negro History Week. I just wish there would come a time where it is not just a month observance, but a part of everyone's history each and every day.