The month of February is a time for celebration due to the holidays such as Valentines Day and Presidents Day. But there is yet another commemoration to recognize this month; Black History Month. As we continue into the month, it is important to know the history behind this month and why it is important to celebrate it.
“Even though the population of Black people is 14.4% in the United States and 4.3% in Canada, it is a time to honor the past victories and successes of Black people as we continue to fight for equality and civil rights,” Said Lexie Williams, 12th grade.
According to Kent State University the earliest remembrance of a celebration of Black accomplishments was in 1926 when Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). The association started the first variation of Black History Month which started as Negro History Week which took place the second month of Feburary. It was not until 1976 that every president designated February as Black History Month.
President Gerald Ford encouraged citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Since then, Black History Month has become a month of reflection and education about the contributions and struggles of Black people, both past and present.
Every year, Black History Month is celebrated through Chapel, Open mic, and class projects that shine a light on Black achievements and history. This years open mic was organized by both Coach Rush and Ms. Kevi; and featured many performances such as acting, singing, poem reading, and dancing. The entire open mic was set up as a scene with Ms. Johnson played the grandmother and Kyla Moore, seventh grade, acting as her granddaughter reading important stories about history. Each performance was led by grandaughter asking the grandmother a question and grandmother would answer as a new performance was started.
When asked how she felt after performing her poem, Lexie Williams, 12th grade, said, “It was a blessing to be involved in such an amazing production. Everything I wrote in that poem is relevant today and I’m grateful to be somewhere where we can acknowledge that.”
