As we all should know, February is a commemorative month that celebrates Black History. This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, strength, and the many achievements by the black community. Several figures including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou all come together to serve this purpose. Without further ado, let’s dive into its origins.
How it Started
Carter G. Woodson, also known as the “father of Black History,” devoted time and effort to inform others about Black History and culture. Being an African American educator and co-founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), Woodson initiated Black History Week in 1926 which later became Black History Month in 1976.
The Courageous Acts of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks
No black history article would be complete without talking about these two important members of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was a charismatic leader who acted in nonviolent protests. These protests meant no harm, but it was also a way for the Black community to have a voice in things. His famous, “I Have a Dream,” speech advocated for racial equality and for a future where racism is not prevalent. Rosa Parks, on the other hand, refused to give up her seat on a bus ride which caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott, lasting 381 days, and gave the black community a voice in hopes of ending racial segregation. These two figures are well-known and widely spoken about when mentioning anything related to Black history. Plus, we should all thank Martin Luther King Jr. for that extra day off of school 😀
Authors and Writers- Maya Angelou
You may have heard of her name before! Angelou has won 3 Grammys for her audio spoken word books. “On the Pulse of Morning,” is one of them. The book and poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” is written by her, and it reflects on her past experiences of being an African American girl. In fact, most of her writings reflect on her past experiences. Other than being an author, she had many jobs including being a teacher and a social activist. At the Inauguration of President Clinton in 1993, she read one of her poems. She was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama!
Connecting to Real Life
The actions of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou all contribute to one goal; they wanted to increase the public’s awareness of black culture. Celebrating Black History is crucial for the world to not forget the brave acts of the people in the past and for them to always be remembered.