These Black History Month Facts Prove Why It’s Still Needed

cover of a book written by carter g woodson
Leslie Grover-Taylor
June 25, 2024

We’ve all heard about Black History Month, but there’s still a lot to learn about this celebration. How many of these facts did you know?

#1 Black History Month was started as Negro History Week in 1926 to help stop lynchings through education, not only to celebrate Black achievements. Carter G. Woodson, its founder, believed anti-Blackness started in the classroom.

#2 Black History celebrations were not meant to be permanent.  Woodson envisioned that Black history would eventually become a standard part of American history that no longer needed special recognition. He dreamed of a day when Black contributions to the world would be etched into the nation’s memory.

#3 The teaching of  Black history also expanded into colleges and universities. Woodson wanted “Negro History” to become a field of study to raise Black consciousness and to mend race relations.

Black history goes far beyond facts, figures, and celebrations. It is a movement that we must keep alive in honor of our past and preparation for our future. Black liberation depends on it.

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