Why Black History Month is necessary

‘To the Editor:

In 1915, Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-educated historian, and Jesse E. Moorland, a prominant pastor, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements of black Americans and others of African descent.

In 1926, Woodson and the ASNLH decided to create a National Negro History Week. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

National Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month across the country. President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

There are people questioning the necessity of Black History Month, saying that it singles out one of the multitude of oppressed races. Some ask questions such as where is White History Month? Where are the history months for the other minorities in America?

Asian-Pacific Heritage Month is in May. Hispanic-American Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15 every year. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month.

To say that every other month of the year is White History Month is not exactly true, but there is a clear lack of Black History in our curriculum; although some eras involving minorities get more attention than others, e.g. Civil Rights and Slavery. At the same time we take a World History and AP European History class that focuses on western civilization. We also have U.S. History that focuses on the majority point of view while showing how they interacted with minorities.  We do not learn how the minorities lived and strived in a oppressed society.

Black History Month is not the only month in which Black History should be learned, but because of the lack of black history in our curriculum, it is a month to emphasize the positive achievements of African Americans in our society.

While a black history month should not be necessary, it is important so we get the full story of our history. Thus, making Black History Month necessary.

Isaiah Jackson

Junior