Showing posts with label bhm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bhm. Show all posts

Thursday, February 2, 2017

BLACK HISTORY: Black History Month: Through The Lens Of The Internet

Black History Month: Through The Lens Of The Internet


Barack Obama, Rihanna and more begin the celebration of Black History Month.







Black History Month yields a number of things for the masses. There often are a myriad of capsule collections and sneaker packs paying tribute to the month like Nas' new capsule for a cause or Nike and Jordan brand's 2017 "Black History Month" collection. More importantly though, Black History month provides a time frame for people of all demographics to celebrate the rich history of African Americans, in addition to providing a template to constructively discuss American history, race relations and unify because of that discussion. 
On the first day of Black History Month 2017, people all over the world have taken to social media to express their heartfelt messages and honor the deep heritage this month represents. We have gathered a number of noteworthy posts from people celebrating in hopes to share the love and pay our respects to the leaders and people before us who made Black History Month possible.














A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on


A video posted by Jasper (@nastyboyjasper) on




A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on
A photo posted by Lauren London (@iamlaurenlondon) on
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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Black History Month: About Black History Month

About Black History Month

Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February, and the United Kingdom in October.

History

Negro History Week (1926)

The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week." This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which dates Black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century.
From the event's initial phase, primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of American blacks in the nation's public schools. The first Negro History Week was met with a lukewarm response, gaining the cooperation of the Departments of Education of the states of North Carolina, Delaware, and West Virginia as well as the city school administrations of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. Despite this far from universal acceptance, the event was regarded by Woodson as "one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association," and plans for a repeat of the event on an annual basis continued apace.
At the time of Negro History Week's launch, Woodson contended that the teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of the race within broader society:
"If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization."
By 1929 The Journal of Negro History was able to note that with only two exceptions, officials with the State Departments of Educations of "every state with considerable Negro population" had made the event known to that state's teachers and distributed official literature associated with the event." Churches also played a significant role in the distribution of literature in association with Negro History Week during this initial interval, with the mainstream and black press aiding in the publicity effort.
Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and interest from progressive whites. Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday.[1]
On 21 February 2016, 106 year Washington D.C. resident and school volunteer Virginia McLaurin visited the White House as part of Black History Month. When asked by the president why she was there, Virginia said, "A black president. A black wife. And I’m here to celebrate black history. That’s what I’m here for."

United States: Black History Month (1976)

The expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month was first proposed by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of the Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February 1970.
In 1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial, the informal expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was officially recognized by the U.S. government. President Gerald Ford spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Natchez, MS, Museum of African American History and Culture

United Kingdom (1987)

Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987. It was organized through the leadership of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who then served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council (GLC) and created a collaboration to get it underway. It was first celebrated in London and has become a national institution.

Canada (1995)

In 1995, after a motion by politician Jean Augustine, representing the riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Ontario, Canada's House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month and honoured Black Canadians. In 2008, Senator Donald Oliver moved to have the Senate officially recognize Black History Month, which was unanimously approved.

Criticism

Black History Month often sparks an annual debate about the continued usefulness and fairness of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race. Criticism include questions over whether it is appropriate to confine the celebration of black history to one month, as opposed to integration of black history into the mainstream education the rest of the year. Another criticism is that contrary to the original inspiration for Black History Month, which was a desire to redress the manner in which British schools failed to represent black historical figures as anything other than slaves or colonial subjects, Black History Month reduces complex historical figures to overly simplified objects of hero worship. Another criticism, usually leveled by whites[who?], is that the celebration is racist.
Black celebrities such as actor and director Morgan Freeman and actress Stacey Dash have criticized Black History Month, with Freeman saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." Freeman has argued that there was no White History Month, because white people did not want their history relegated to just one month.

Other important dates in February that align with a study of black history are:
  • 2/23/1868 - W.E.B. DuBois was born - civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP
  • 2/03/1870 - The 15th Amendment was passed - allowing black men to vote
  • 2/25/1870 - The first black U.S. senator took office (Hiram Revels).
  • 2/12/1909 - The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded.
  • 2/21/1965 - Malcolm X was shot

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Alberta officially recognizes Black History Month

Alberta officially recognizes Black History Month

Premier Rachel Notley joins Deborah Dobbins of Shiloh Baptist Church, Culture Minister Ricardo Miranda, Martella Montague of the National Black Coalition of Canada, and NDP MLA David Shepherd at a ceremony Tuesday to proclaim Black History Month. (CBC)

Alberta has become the fourth province in Canada to proclaim February as Black History Month.
Established by the federal government in 1996, the month-long celebration recognizes the contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent.
"Our historical presence is well-established but not well-known," said Deborah Dobbins, a third-generation Albertan whose family was among the first wave of black settlers to arrive in Alberta.
"The declaration, as proclaimed by the Alberta government, makes our people finally visible, acknowledged and considered worthy of annual celebration," Dobbins told a gathering at the legislature to mark the occasion.
Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism
Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda says as a refugee he understands the need to feel welcome and recognized in your new home country.
The director of the Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots in Edmonton, Dobbins said her grandparents and other family members made the trek in the early 1900s from Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas and Missouri.
"Our people cleared the land, built homes, worked to contribute economic stability and continued  growth, and fought alongside others to defend our Canadian home," she said.
The timing of the proclamation was an opportunity to drive home a point of Alberta being a welcoming place for newcomers from all over the world.


Shook us to our Canadian core

"Our diversity is our strength," said Premier Rachel Notley, who acknowledged that events of the past few days are a reminder of the lingering existence of "prejudice and injustice."
"We're reminded of this Sunday night in the starkest possible way with the horrific  attack of a mosque in Quebec. That attack shook us to our Canadian core, and in doing so it also brought us all together."
Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda, who came to Canada in 1988 as a refugee from Nicaragua, said he understood the importance of being recognized and feeling welcome in your new home country.
"Especially these days, when people are feeling a little bit threatened, it's important to come back to our history and really connect to our past and say, 'Yes, there were some difficult moments, but look at what we've accomplished as a people together.' "
The first official event to recognize Black History Month in Alberta will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the legislature rotunda. The public event will feature performances by several musicians and a spoken word artist.



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