Black History Month
Celebrating Black History Month
more important than ever
Americans have been
commemorating Black
History Month for more
than a century now, recognizing
the contributions and
leadership of African Americans
throughout the years in
the hope of building “a more
perfect union” throughout the
United States.
According to the Library
of Congress, the annual celebration
dates back to 1915,
when historian and author Dr.
Carter G. Woodson founded
what is today known as the Association
for the Study of African
American Life and History.
More than a decade after
its founding, the organization
launched its the fi rst Negro
History Week (as it was known
then), in February 1926.
Dr. Woodson chose February
because the month included
the birthdays of President
Abraham Lincoln
and Frederick Douglass.
Both are important
fi gures in Black
history in America.
Lincoln led the fi ght
against slavery in the
Civil War and issued
the Emancipation Proclamation
freeing slaves
in 1863. Douglass was
part of that effort as
the nation’s preeminent
abolitionist, using
his voice to expose the
horrors of slavery and
advance the causes of
freedom, justice and
equality.
About 40 years later, in
1975, President Gerald Ford
issued a message to mark the
observance of what was then
called Black History Week,
urging all Americans to “recognize
the important contribution
made to our nation’s life
and culture by Black citizens.”
A year later, in 1976, Ford became
the fi rst president to
recognize the observance of
Black History Month, which
the Association for the Study
of African American Life and
History expanded that year,
which coincided with the nation’s
bicentennial.
Ten years later, in 1986,
Congress passed legislation
that offi cially designated February
COURIER L 4 IFE, FEB. 26-MAR. 4, 2021
as National Black History
Month. That was followed
by a proclamation from President
Ronald Reagan which
recognized that “the foremost
purpose of Black History
Month is to make all Americans
aware of this struggle
for freedom and equal opportunity”
and “to celebrate the
many achievements of African
Americans in every fi eld from
science and the arts to politics
and religion.”
This year, the nation celebrates
Black History Month
amid the ongoing upheaval
of the COVID-19 pandemic,
which exposed long-ignored
inequalities within society.
The last 12 months have
also seen a tremendous movement
in the struggle against
racial injustice in the wake of
the death of George Floyd, Breonna
Taylor and other Black
Americans who were killed in
police actions.
The protests led to increased
efforts to combat injustice
within New York, including
increased efforts to
reform the NYPD. The de Blasio
(Main) Protesters rally to preserve Black Lives Matter Plaza in Brooklyn;
(Inset) Vice President Kamala Harris.
REUTERS/Jeenah Moon;REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
Administration also established
a Racial Justice and
Reconciliation Commission
which aims to root out institutional
racism in the city and
make it more equitable for all
New Yorkers.
Juneteenth, the holiday
recognizing the emancipation
of the last slaves in Texas in
1865, was also recognized by
the city and state as an offi cial
holiday.
During the fall of 2020, the
city witnessed Black History
in the making through individual
accomplishments.
New Yorkers helped elect
Kamala Harris to the vice
presidency. The former California
senator became the fi rst
Black woman, and fi rst person
of South Asian descent, ever to
hold the offi ce.
Voters in Queens, meanwhile,
elected Donovan Richards
as borough president —
making him the fi rst Black
resident of “The World’s Borough”
to hold the post.
At the NYPD, Chief Juanita
Holmes, the highest-ranking
Black woman in the department’s
history, rose through
the ranks even further in October,
when she became Chief
of Patrol, the second-highest
ranked uniformed member.
In the years to come, as the
city works to rebuild from the
pandemic, Black New Yorkers
will play a greater role in its
recovery. Celebrating Black
History Month now not only
recognizes the great achievements
and accomplishments of
the past, but also inspire and
pave the way for even greater
success for generations to
come.