The Making of Black History Month
Reported By: Benny Schorie
Photo Courtesy: history.com
Like most other holidays, Black History Month (BHM) is steeped in history and purpose. However, its stories fade and evade newer generations who have never lived without the celebrations and acknowledgments.
Black History Month celebrates the roles and contributions of African Americans in US history. Before becoming a month-long celebration, Carter G. Woodson, a Black historian, and fellow scholars from the University of Chicago developed an exhibit to mark fifty years since emancipation and the progress of African Americans. Alongside other academics, Woodson created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915 to promote the study of Black life and history; it has since been renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
To promote the importance of Black history, Woodson and ASALH created “Negro History Week” in 1925. It was first celebrated in February 1926. The chosen weeks in February coincided with the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, dates previously commemorated by the Black community. The purpose was not to celebrate only those two men but, according to ASALH, to recognize history as an effort of the people.
Woodson’s celebration took off and was quickly adopted by schools and the American public. Black history clubs began popping up and demanding resources to educate students. ASALH began providing an annual theme and study materials for the celebration, and Woodson ensured each year’s celebration was worthy of its celebrants in the quality of the provided resources.
By Woodson’s death in 1950, Negro History Week had captured Black communities and became essential. As the Civil Rights Movement emphasized African American consciousness and connecting to the past, many activists expanded it to an entire month, and by the late 1960s, college students shifted to calling it Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford federally recognized Black History Month to acknowledge the accomplishments of African Americans, and every president since has endorsed the theme produced by ASALH.
Since its inception, Black History Month has drawn criticism for only acknowledging Black history one month out of the year and criticism for its distinction from the larger American historical narrative. For example, in 2005, Morgan Freeman called the event “ridiculous” for singling out Black history instead of incorporating it into US history. Even Woodson himself advocated for Black history to be celebrated year-round.
Although these arguments may have merit, without Black History Month and its previous iterations, Black history would not have become a field of academic study or have been brought into the American consciousness.