Should a month make history important?

By Sherry Holliman ‘A Political View’

Why February? What about the other 11 months? Black History Month has been the subject of criticism from Blacks and people of other races for many years. Some argue it is unfair to devote an entire month to one race. Others believe that we should educate about Black history throughout the entire year. This month was specially selected to honor the experiences, struggles and achievements of black people throughout history and into the modern day.

Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson was bothered by the fact that many textbooks and other historical reviews minimized or ignored the contributions of black figures.

Woodson selected the second week in February to raise awareness of these stories.

Woodson chose that week specifically because it covered the birthdays of Frederick Douglass February 14 and Abraham Lincoln February 12. Every February since 1976, the United States has celebrated the achievements of Black Americans during Black History Month. The month-long celebration is intended to share information in the classrooms and media about the accomplishments and milestones of known and unknown black people that are not discussed. In 1976, President Gerald Ford made Black History Month official, saying that he was urging everyone to “seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.

The hundred years of denial, subjugation, segregation and racism that have impacted America’s people of color and history has a way of repeating itself to this very day. Black history month is the opportunity to help everyone understand and appreciate what was done and by whom, to the benefit of whom, and to the detriment of whom. However, there are those who will say and believe, this month, only create more division than unity.

People make it about the month, but black history month should be used as an opportunity to start uncomfortable conversations that will lead to necessary changes to improve the quality of lives for people. Historians deserve to be honored for the sacrifices and suffering they endured for the sake of racial equality. Celebrating Black History Month should allow people the opportunity to understand and be reminded of the great achievements of the trailblazer’s sacrifices made for the nation. In order to take action to make a change, we must know the history to lead us through the present to create a better future.

“We Shall Overcome.”

Really? How? “Shall” is a passive verb. Let’s start believing, “We Can Overcome”, and become that next historian to be discussed next February! Stop being passive and help to define history.

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County and has some views on a variety of topics that she wants to share with her neighbors. She serves on the Marion City Council.