Black History Month

Since 1976, every February 1st kicks off a 28 day celebration and remembrance of the achievements and journey of African Americans. The history of the month goes back to 1926 when Carter G. Woodson chose February and more importantly the second week of the month because it was around the same time as the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass; two important figures in the lives of African Americans.

Each year, more and more history is exposed because there have been several black individuals who have shaped American History and this nation from its early years to today. One of the key times that is remembered especially each February is the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

We saw protests and civil disobedience take place because certain individuals decided it was time to be brave and draw a line in the sand. There were several injustices taking place especially in the South. During a roughly 15 year span, changes began to occur in recognition and legislation. For much of the time from Reconstruction to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, blacks would fight to continue the progress made by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. But, they were met with backlash and much violence. The Jim Crow South was tough to break. We saw racial segregation, disfranchisement, exploitation, and violence as part of the times that blacks lived in.

However, in 1954; we began to see a wave a change occurring. In May 1954, the United States Supreme Court would rule in the Brown v. Board of Education decision. With the decision, not only would the Topeka, KS school in question be desegregated, but it would set a precedent for education and racial equality. The next year, in December; Rosa Parks would refuse to give up her seat on a Montgomery, AL bus. Her act of disobedience led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. After a little more than a year, the ordinance on bus segregation was lifted. Then in 1957, we would see schools and segregation come up again; this time in Little Rock, AR. Nine African American students were denied access to Central High by Governor Orval Faubus. President Eisenhower sent the National Guard, but the South would fight against letting integrated schools become part of their lives.

As the 1960s began, problems still persisted and sit-ins were a popular method of expression. Four students staged a sit-in at a lunch counter at a Woolworth's store in North Carolina. This sit-in would trigger more sit-ins across Southern states. In 1961, freedom rides would become popular. Freedom rides were bus tours through the South led by Civil Rights activists. Their travels took them through much of the Deep South and violence broke out on multiple occasions. As part of the next step for many of these activists; they looked to get as many African Americans registered to vote to increase their voices. Then in 1964, the Civil Rights Act would pass to protect African Americans and increase their rights. The next year, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law and finally gave blacks all the rights necessary to exercise their voice through the power of voting.

Education initiatives continued during the 1960s with James Meredith looking to become the first black student at the University of Mississippi and the Albany movement. Albany would lead to Birmingham and Martin Luther King being the lead voice and example as he chose to willingly be jailed to prove his point. The now famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was written during his stay there. Later in 1963, the March on Washington occurred with King giving his "I Have A Dream Speech" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th.

As 1963 came to a close and 1964 began, the scene of the civil rights movement returned to the South with the St. Augustine Movement, where more violence occurred. King would be arrested again there and coin another letter. In March 1965, a march was planned from Selma, AL to the state's capital, Montgomery. As they approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to continue along their way, the marchers were attacked by law enforcement officials. Three more marches were attempted that month. The scenes became televised attention.

One of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr was gunned down on April 4, 1968 while in Memphis, TN.

Throughout the the better part of two decades, we would see progress and sit-ins. A fight to prevent racial changes and violence. Legislation and landmark occasions. And all these are just part of the overall narrative of African American history. This short period only covers a handful of the key figures in African American and U.S. History. This only paints part of the picture. Go to the library. Search the internet. You will discover interesting and captivating individuals. You will discover several events that are part of the evolution of this country.

Some might say that we do not need this month. But I disagree. It is not some way to pay them back for all the years of slavery. It is not some peace chip. The events of the African American community and their achievements and struggles are worth recognizing and studying for years to come. A month is a fitting way to celebrate that. I doubt many of opponents of it hardly notice the month's activities anyway. They are the ones that the month is especially important for; they might represent ideologies that were part of the culture 40, 50, or 100 years ago.

So, as another black history month concludes; lest us remember.