I know there are those who will read this and will ask themselves, why is there still a need for a Black History Month after all these years of advancement for African Americans? Why are we still celebrating what historian Carter G. Woodson gave birth to approximately 90 years ago when he announced the celebration of “Negro History Week” in 1926? After all, some may infer that since we have our first Black president and so many other Blacks in strategic and high profile positions in politics, corporate America, sports arena, and other sections of our culture, why is there still a need for Black History Month? I am going to respond to these questions and the objection and opposition of some to the idea of a Black History Month observance in this first installment of a four part series. Beginning next week, we are going to discuss the Black family. The following week, we are going to consider the Black church. Finally, we are going to conclude with a look at the Black community.
Why is there a need for a Black History Month? There are many legitimate reasons why Black History Month is important to not only African-Americans, but to all Americans. First and foremost, the Black History Month observance is to set the record straight.
The Missing Chapter in American History
In my estimation, as well as many others, the primary reason why all Americans should observe Black History Month is because it is the missing chapter in American History. Due to the fact that the majority of the achievements, discoveries, and occurrences of historical significance made by African Americans have either been ignored, downplayed, or outright disregarded by the records of American History. There is a need to amend, and in some references, to rewrite American History so it will include and reflect the significant accomplishments and contributions of all citizens, regardless of race. The chronicle of America will never be true and complete until all of its citizens are represented in the pages of our history books. Regardless of who it offends or hurts, there is a segment of American history that is crying out to be shared and told. The voice of its demand is stronger than the clamor of injustice from those who deny the truth, the revisionist, and those who have sought to eradicate the fact that minorities, especially African Americans, have from the onset, played a significant role in the shaping and the making of America into a world power. From the cotton fields, to the battlefields, we were there. From the invention of the cotton gin to the invention of the light bulb, we were there. From the “Peanut Wizard,” George Washington Carver, whose many discoveries of the usage of peanuts helped to save the agricultural economy of the South, to Earnest E. Just, “The Black Apollo of Science”, a brilliant biologist, educator, and scientist, who is best known for his pioneering work in the physiology of development, especially in fertilization, to Charles Drew, who pioneered methods of storing blood plasma for transfusions and organized the first large-scale blood bank in America, we were there. These are just a minute few of the African Americans whose contributions, achievements, and stories were either downplayed or denied in most of our history books. They are a part of the missing chapter of American history.
Black History’s Exclusion and Adverse Effect
One of the reasons why there is still a need for a Black History Month observance is due to the negative effect that the exclusion of Black History has played on the Black man in America since the beginning of this nation. The historical and systematic portrayal of African Americans in America, as an inferior race who has never really accomplished much in the field of science, medicine, mathematics, the military, business, politics, and other important sectors of our culture, has been both deceptive and detrimental. It has been a deliberate denial and lie that those who believed in White supremacy and the subjugation and exploitation of non-Whites have used in justification of their bigotry and racist policies, politics, and practices. Although all non-whites, like the Native Americans and others, were victims of the idea of White supremacy, the most dehumanizing and debilitating blows were targeted toward the Black African slaves. The loss of language, culture, heritage, and ultimately, history has had a devastational effect on the Black man, even until this present time. This great loss, that was severely aggravated and perpetuated by Jim Crow, segregation, and discrimination, has been the major factor and retardant in the progression of Blacks in America. Even after Appomattox, The Thirteenth Amendment, and the various Civil Rights Acts of the 60’s that were designed to abolish Jim Crow and voter repression of the Negros in the South, African Americans, for the most part, continue to struggle for complete recovery from the historical and psychological scares of dehumanizing slavery and Jim Crow. A part of our recovery is to know our history, to know that we are not inferior to Whites, but equal; and if given a chance on an even playing field, we can compete, not just in the athletic arena, but also in science, mathematics, business, and all other sectors of American life.
Furthermore, there is a great need for White Americans to know our history, the missing chapter in the chronicles of this nation. They should know the great achievements and contributions that African Americans have made to the forming of America into the world greatest democracy and superpower. Perhaps this will help to dispel some of the racial mindsets and misconceptions that have polarized and divided this nation. Perhaps and prayerfully so, this will persuade all of us that we are Americans, regardless of our race, creed, or color. Whether we are Native Americans, European Americans, African Americans, or Hispanic Americans, our national well being and manifest destiny is tied together. A house united within itself cannot falter, fail, nor fall.
