Actor Morgan Freeman explained in a recent interview that he “detests” Black History Month and called it an “insult” that made his “teeth itch.” “My history is American history. It’s the one thing in this world I am interested in, beyond making money, having a good time and getting enough sleep,” he said. Does he have a valid point?
Let’s unpack the real history and importance of Black History Month. The first official Black History Month was celebrated in February 1976, with the expansion of Black History Week. In 1926, the second week of February was designated Negro History Week, to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12).
Black Americans have contributed to the world in countless ways. However, Black History has been manipulated, erased, and discounted by whiteness. The month creates intentional recognition for the contributions often left out of textbooks and ignored by mainstream media.
Black History covers a breadth of topics. However, when it is addressed, it often begins with the Civil Rights Movement and ends with President Barack Obama. There are an endless number of topics, events, people and phenomena to explore and educate that elevate the true cultural history across the African Diaspora and Black History Month is an important time to do so.
Black History Month doesn’t limit our history. It gives us a taste to understand that Black history is rich enough to celebrate year-round. How can you celebrate Black History every month? Keep the discussion going here.