A lot of us have been working very hard for years. Fighting
tiny battles to clear the way. It’s so incredibly exhausting and so incredibly
necessary.
"If there is no struggle there is no progress."
Frederick Douglass
Black History month, Canadians often remark is the shortest,
coldest month of the year. In England, it falls in October, the
beginning of the school year. I thought for years February was chosen in North
America because of Marin Luther King’s birthday, but he was born on January 15,
1929. You re-learn something new every day.
Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) chose the second week of
February to celebrate Negro History Week because that week included the
birthdays of two important men:
President
Abraham Lincoln(February 12) and
Frederick
Douglass (February 14). When Negro History Week turned into Black
History Month in 1976, the celebrations during the second week of February
expanded to the entire month of February.
Origins of Black History Month
The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to a
man named Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950). Woodson, the son of former slaves, was
an amazing man in his own right. Since his family was too poor to send him to
school as a child, he taught himself the basics of a school education. At age
20, Woodson was finally able to attend high school, which he completed in just
two years.
He then went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree
from the University of Chicago. In 1912, Woodson became only the second African
American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University
(W.E.B. Du Bois was
the first). Woodson used his hard-earned education to teach. He taught both in
public schools and at Howard University.
Three years after earning his doctorate, Woodson made a trip
that had a great impact on him. In 1915, he traveled to Chicago to participate
in a three-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of slavery. The
excitement and enthusiasm generated by the events inspired Woodson to continue
the study of black history year-round. Before leaving Chicago, Woodson and four
others created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH)
on September 9, 1915. The following year, the ASNLH began publication of
the Journal of Negro History.
Woodson realized that most textbooks at the time ignored the
history and achievements of blacks. Thus, in addition to the journal, he wanted
to find a way to encourage interest and study of black history. In 1926,
Woodson promoted the idea of a "Negro History Week," which was to be
held during the second week of February. The idea caught on quickly and Negro
History Week was soon celebrated around the United States. With a high demand
for study materials, the ASNLH began to produce pictures, posters, and lesson
plans to help teachers bring Negro History Week into schools. In 1937, the
ASNLH also began producing the Negro History Bulletin, which
focused on an annual theme for Negro History Week.
In 1976, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Negro
History Week and the bicentennial of the United States' independence, lack
History Week was expanded to Black History Month. Ever since then, Black
History Month has been celebrated in February around the country.
Some Toronto Black History Month Events
Click the links below to find something for you!
Toronto.com
Black history month
scroll down to 2015 events
Blogto Black History Month:
Basquiat at the AGO Blogto:
I will be speaking at:
Community Creative Jam
in partnership with North York Arts and Whole Foods Market
4771 Yonge Street at Sheppard
Whole Foods Market
Wednesday February 18, 2015
6-8pm
FREE
This is not a black history month event but it is my appearance this month, so I hope you can make it!
My talk will be about the life of an artist. Well, more, the life of
this artist. I can only speak for myself. We are all so different.
There will be light refreshments, music and work on exhibit.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Enjoy Black History Month!
Peace,
at 6:30. Show starts at
7:00. Our soloists and chorus will be singing beautiful arias and ensembles
from popular operas and musicals such as:
