I am a white woman but am an ally to people of color and support Black History very much, this article is simply to point out where it all started and big things you should know!
Black History month’s story started in 1915 a while after slavery was abolished by the thirteenth amendment. It became official in 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford asked the public to recognize neglected African Americans and their accomplishments. You may be wondering why it is in February, well to answer that in 1926 the ASALH chose February to connect Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and Frederick Douglass’s birthday.
"In the United States, the month of February is observed as Black History Month or National African American History Month, and we use the month to remember the important contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout our nation’s history."
Everyone knows Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. but what about others who accomplished great things too? For example, Shirley Chisholm was the first woman of color to be elected into the House of Representatives in 1968. There are also great accomplishments of people throughout history including Harriet Tubman, Dred Scott, Nat Turner, John Brown, Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., and so much more.
However, don't forget about today's people of color who have really made a difference. Such as the Obamas, Oprah, Beyoncé, and much more. It is important to recognize those in your society and around the country who are making the necessary change for people of color around America and the world.
With all that is happening in the world right now, especially with politics, take this information and don’t take it lightly. Remember how poorly this ethnicity was treated and how they are still not equal today. Let us do whatever we can to make this much needed change and recognize that people of color are PEOPLE!
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