By Katarina Simikic (15) West Bromwich, Jessica Chumber (15) Wednesbury and Kathryn Gallagher (15) Wednesbury
What is it?
Okay, so everyone knows Black History Month is upon us, but what is it?
Black History Month is a remembrance of events in history. It started as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, and the goal was, and still is, to educate people about African-Americans’ cultural backgrounds and their amazing achievements which have made society the way it is today. It has been celebrated annually in the USA and Canada in February and in the UK in October since 1967.
What’s the purpose?
So, are you still wondering what the purpose for it is? Well let me explain…
Basically, the purpose for Black History Month is so African Americans have a voice, and their history is acknowledged, accepted, and considered to be a more significant part in history as a whole. During this month, African American history is taught to thousands of students at primary, secondary and university levels respectively so todays generation are aware of the history, and can begin to understand the role African Americans played.
I’m white, so it doesn’t affect me as deeply as it will to others, however, I still think Black History Month is a very respectful thing to do, and people should be educated about the African American history as well as just the American/British history. It has changed the way we live today, and we should be grateful (I know I am). I mean, it’s almost impossible to find an American history text book that doesn’t mention Black History Month because it is so significant.
Learning about black history has influenced so many things, for example, music and films, the way we treat one another and our opinions. So I think we should thank a few very influential people don’t you.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali the greatest Boxer on the Earth, he played a big part in the civil rights movement and he is an influential person in Black History. On the 28th April, 1967, Ali was drafted in the U.S. Army during the war in the Vietnam, however he refused to go. He believed that he shouldn’t fight for a country that doesn’t treat Black people equally. He said also that the Viet Cong haven’t done anything to him so he isn’t going to fight. He was fined ten thousand dollars and sentenced to 5 years in prison and was stripped from all of his titles. During the Civil Rights Movement Ali kept standing for what he believed. He became an iconic in the struggle for civil rights. Ali’s message of black pride and black resistance to white domination was a significant impact to the civil right movement.
Martin Luther King
In 1963 Martin Luther King led protests against discriminatory practices in Birmingham, Alabama where the white population were violently resisting desegregation. The city was dubbed ‘Bombingham’ as attacks against civil rights protesters increased, and King was arrested and jailed for his part in the protests. After his release King precipitated in the civil rights march in Washington on August 1963, where he delivered his famous speech “I had a dream” predicting that there would be a day of freedom and equality for all would become a reality for America. In 1964 he was awarded a Nobel peace prize. In 1965, he led a campaign to register blacks to vote. King also began to protest against the Vietnam War and poverty. He was assassinated on April 4th 1968. King has the right to be an influential person of black history. He tried to fight for what was right, not by violence but by peace.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is known today as the “mother of the civil rights movement”, because she was arrested for refusing to give her bus seat. She wasn’t looking to make history she was tired and just wanted to go home. Rosa was briefly arrested and then was released. She was respected in her community. Parks continued to fight for civil rights. She was strong and was able to have the strength to stand up for what she believed in.
Barrack Obama
He became president November 4th 2008. The 44th president elected; the 1st Black president ever! This is what makes him so iconic. The election of Barrack Obama was very symbolic for America, by the American public voting for him it shows prejudice is not as strong as it once was. This goes to show that the hard work of all of the influential African-Americans in history have changed society today and Obama is living proof.
Celebrations in Sandwell
Celebrations for Black History Month take place across the globe, and this includes Sandwell! Every year, schools, colleges and other groups come together to celebrate Black History Month and take part in various activities. Last year, Black History Month was celebrated at the Public in West Brom, where communities came together and a range of activities were put on for both young and old. But celebrations weren’t just taking place at the Public; schools all across Sandwell were getting involved too. Students at one primary school spent their day in a Dance workshop, learning and choreographing traditional African dances and modern hip-hop dances too.
What’s happening this year?
This year is no exception and the celebrations will be continuing in Sandwell. From October the 1st to November the 23rd an exhibition called ‘Black Women of Sandwell’ will be held at Haden Hill House in Cradley Heath. Admission is free, so why not go along and discover more about Black History in Sandwell? As well as this, an exhibition about Slavery can be seen at Smethick Library and West Brom central library. For more details: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Black+Country+News%3a+Learn+black+history%3b+SANDWELL.(News)-a0169422054
So why don’t you get involved in Black History Month this year!
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