As we close this month, we look back to the past 27 days and recall the purpose which they have honored.
Today ends Black History Month.
Tomorrow, however, that history does not just disappear.
Every year since 1976, this month has officially served as a celebratory time that pays tribute to those people in history who have made their impact on American culture. It stops to recognize the feats and accomplishments of blacks as individuals and as a collective whole, all of whom have struggled through years of civil challenges.
Prior to 1976, Black History Month was merely "Negro History Week," an idea traced back to historian Carter Woodson. It was started to recognize the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
After starting the tribute week, it is largely known but often forgotten that Woodson hoped it would one day be eliminated. He looked forward to that day, a time when black history would be fundamental to American history. When Americans would already recognize the contributions of blacks to our society.
His goal, however, has been slightly misconstrued over the years.
Woodson died in 1950, some 26 years before his week would become an entire month signified by the federal government.
Twenty-nine years later, in 2005, some of Black History Month's most prized speakers and historians are stepping back and remembering why this "honorary month" really exists. In fact, according to The Associated Press, come February, many are refusing to speak.
"I'm not going to be, as the kids say, 'pimped' during the month of February," John Wiley Price told the AP. Price is the only black commissioner in Dallas, Texas, thus making him a popular speaking figure each February. However, he, as with many other popular leaders, have started to decline requests to speak during Black History Month.
Years ago, Price realized that such requests were only common during February, while "the other 11 months of the year, we became invisible people."
As Price and so many others point out, Americans must take the time to remember black history not as a trivial number of days each year, but as a valued and respected part of this country's history.
It's not something that can be learned or taught, however. For the belief to be real, it can only be felt.
Had Woodson been around, we pause to wonder what he would think of the current situation. In terms of black history, he probably wouldn't think any different of today then he would tomorrow. As long as the cause he and so many other blacks fought for exists within us all, we don't see a reason to think of it differently, either.
Because come tomorrow, black history will still have an impact on us all.
Even if it is the first of March.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
