Black History Month Turns 100
Cousins, today we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and this anniversary deserves more than vibes. It deserves understanding.
This whole thing starts with Carter G. Woodson who was born in 1875 to parents who had been enslaved and he grew up pushing forward in a country that absolutely did not want him educated.
Still, he went on to earn his PhD from Harvard, becoming only the second Black person after W.E.B. Du Bois and instead of using that achievement to assimilate, he turned his back on institutions that ignored Black history and built his own for us.
In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. It was a scholarly organization dedicated to researching, documenting, and publishing Black history with rigor and respect.
The very next year, he launched The Journal of Negro History and by 1926, Woodson realized that research alone was not enough. The knowledge had to reach the people.
So he created Negro History Week, intentionally placing it in February to align with celebrations already happening in Black communities around the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. I know, but back then, Lincoln was still seen as a savior to Black folks.
Woodson created lesson plans, reading lists, study guides, and programs. He wanted Black history taught EVERYWHERE.
He once said that when you control a people’s thinking, you do not have to worry about their actions. He understood that miseducation was a tool of oppression.
Over time, Negro History Week expanded as communities demanded more space for the truth. By the late 1960s, Black students and educators pushed for broader recognition. In 1976, during the nation’s bicentennial, Black History Month was officially recognized at the federal level.
Black History Month exists because one man refused to let erasure be normal. So as we mark 100 years, let’s do more than repost quotes. Let’s correct misinformation loudly and confidently.
Because Black history is not optional reading, but foundational knowledge. And a hundred years later, the assignment still stands.
Reflecting on the 100th anniversary of Black History Month invites a deeper appreciation of the dedication and resilience behind its creation. Carter G. Woodson’s work was not just about marking dates; it was about reclaiming a narrative that had been systematically ignored or distorted. Over the years, I’ve witnessed how Black History Month serves as much more than a commemorative event. It opens doors for conversations that educate and inspire, connecting younger generations with their roots and contributions. The historical context, such as the alignment of Negro History Week with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays, reveals the strategic ways Black communities sought recognition. Yet, understanding the complexities behind such choices, including earlier perceptions of Lincoln as a Black savior, enriches our grasp of Black history’s evolving meaning. From lesson plans to community programs, Woodson’s vision was clear: Black history must be integrated everywhere in education, not relegated to a single month. This is a message that resonates today as we see ongoing efforts to introduce comprehensive Black history curricula in schools nationwide. The recognized importance of correcting misinformation is vital. Miseducation has long served as a means of oppression, controlling how societies perceive Black people and their role in history. Participating in Black History Month through research, discussion, and activism helps dismantle these falsehoods and supports empowerment. Moreover, historical artifacts such as the International Workers Order’s 1947 Negro History Week bulletin, depicted in the image, highlight grassroots efforts to promote democracy and racial justice within Black communities. These materials remind us that Black History Month is built on decades of collective struggle and achievement. Personally, engaging with Black history beyond the month of February has been transformative. It challenges me to consider how histories shape current social dynamics and offers a foundation for understanding identity, resistance, and cultural pride. As we celebrate 100 years, the ongoing assignment remains clear: to learn, share, and act with the knowledge that Black history is indispensable to America's broader story.
Thanks for sharing and educating!!! ♥️🖤💚✊🏽🥰