Argumentative Essay On Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, Black History Month is celebrated. What was originally negro week, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and then later changed to Black History Month in 1976, by President Nixon, celebrates the lives and discoveries and impacts African-Americans have had on the U.S throughout history. Shukree Hassan Tilghman, the director of the documentary “More Than a Month,” explores the importance of black history and tries to get rid of Black History Month. The director’s message in “More Than a Month,” is that black history goes so much deeper than just a month of celebration, and to show true respect, Black history should be American history.

One historical event we have studied this year was the Montgomery Bus Boycott which began on December 5th 1955 and ended on December 20th 1956 in Montgomery, Alabama. African Americans had been discriminated against since slavery began in 1619, and even after slavery was abolished in 1863, black people still faced extreme racism every day. An example of this is the enforced segregation of public buses. The front section of the buses were for white passengers and the back section was for Black passengers.

What was never presented was the point of view from the African Americans because it was seemingly dismissed. It was eye-opening to read about the experience from an African’s perspective because it brought a whole new light to my understanding of what it meant to be a slave and the struggles black Americans face here in the US, even

Carter G Woodson is amongst many well known African Americans in History. Woodson was an African American writer and historian known as “ The Father of Black history month”. He dedicated himself to the field of African-American history, working to make sure that the subject was taught in schools and studied by scholars. He was the author of more than thirty books, his best known book was The Miseducation of the negro, published in 1933 and is still relevant today. He also founded the Association for the study of African American Life and History, the mission was to promote, research, and share information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.

Black history is probably one of my favorite to learn about, so it is no surprise that I would take such joy and excitement of teaching it to children. I 've done this fun, crafty, and educational activity with my three and four-year old at one daycare that I taught at and they absolutely loved it. I 'm very much a history buff as well as a sports fanatic (thanks to my Dad) and I choose the great Jackie Robinson who was essentially the first African-American man to break the color line in major league baseball (MLB) in 1947. Mr. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers as a second-base man and was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, which was well-deserved. Fun Fact:

She is an important symbol of Black History Month and should be celebrated because she changed the world for the better. Ida Barnett Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862. She was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi during the Civil War (Womenshistory.org Editors).

Growing up in a prominently white family with very little diversity aside from some cousins with Bolivian, Chinese, and Vietnamese backgrounds, I can’t say I grew up with really any black culture. I went to schools that were evidently white and then was taught history only made by white Americans. The only time we ever discussed the crucial past of black history was in February during Black History Month. How can we segregate black and white history when black history is American history?

African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States.

As W.E.B. DuBois wrote in The Crisis, America was still “a shameful land” for the black community (Doc I). Although African-American fought with pride till death for the U.S. during World War One, they returned home to face brutality and devilish insults; in general they lacked the much deserved respect as war heros. Progressive presidents made a limited public effort, out of either racists beliefs or fear of losing their popularity, to shed light on the subjects of segregation and discrimination. Teddy Roosevelt in particular was shamed for having Booker T. Washington invited for an official dinner at the White House, from then on he did all his reform for African Americans in private. Little was changed for African Americans in the period 1900 to 1920.

In a meeting dedicated to African American History Month, President Trump made the comment of how much Frederick Douglass is contributing and his gaining recognition. For all those who decided to skip U.S. History like our brilliant

John C. Gardner once said “History never looks like history when you are living through it.” For the people who lived during the Juneteenth, Jim Crow South, and even slavery they may have never believe that their lives would be recognized on this trail. For many of them I’m sure it was no easy road, but today we honor their legacy with not only this trail but by preserving their legacy by teaching the youth about their triumphs and accomplishments during such a strenuous time for African American individuals. I began my journey through the African American Heritage trail with the Basilica of Immaculate Conception. The site itself was keeper of records for births, deaths, and origins of Spanish, African, and French ancestors.

For white men, this is a day of gratification and happiness as All men(according to the Declaration of Independence) could escape the oppressive British control and live freely on new land, but for many African-Americans, including Douglass, this is a day of exile, pain, anguish, isolation, and deprivation. For the millions of white Americans, this “anniversary” is for them, not for African-Americans according to Douglass. I believe that there should not be any desire to celebrate this day because this day does not celebrate and/or symbolize the moment my ancestors gained freedom. Rather, this day serves as a rejuvenation of the white-hegemonic racial institution that continues to hinder the social, intellectual, economic, physical, and spiritual well-being of black and brown individuals. To further display the hypocrisy of this celebration, Douglas goes on to say “Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions!

When students learn about black history in schools, they may go home and talk about it with their families. This may benefit society because it means race may be talked about more in families throughout America. Many

In the 1940s, about 10 years prior to Woodson’s death, the state of West Virginia began celebrating Negro History Month. Nearly 20 years later, Midwestern cities would follow suit with creating opportunities to expand the celebration for the entire month of February. Chicago, Illinois cultural activist Frederic H. Hammurabi helped to organize the Negro History Month and began incorporating themes from African history in the celebration. The Black United Students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio organized one of the first Black History Month celebrations on a college campus in February 1969. Seven years later, 1976, in celebration of the United States Bicentennial President Gerald Ford recognized the need to honor the accomplishments of African Americans.

In an interview with Mike Wallace, Morgan Freeman says that he doesn’t like Black History Month. He says that he thinks having a month for black history isn’t going to end racism and that the one way to is to stop talking about it. Morgan Freeman is wrong to say so. If we want to get rid of racism, we need to demote it until it goes away. Otherwise people won’t see that the way they treat other races is wrong.