Black History Month is celebrated from February 1st to March 1st. This year’s month recognizes the achievements that African Americans have made over the years. It is important to recognize these races through everything that they have gone through. This year’s theme for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness.
This celebration started in February 1976. Woodson start this celebration first in 1926, on February 7, and he called it “Negro History Week.” Then an Afro-American history professor named Albert Broussard turned Woodson week into a whole month which is now called Black History Month. This celebration is to honor all those black people that were in the U.S. History, from the enslaved people. These enslaved people were brought over from Africa in the early 17th century.
Chuck Wagner, a 7th- grade Social Studies teacher, explains his thoughts about Black History Month. He said this is the most important month of the year concerning civil rights and the recognition of the importance of African-Americans, and making the United States a better place to live. Not only are the struggles of the past, but the recognition that there is more work to do in achieving equality in our country. Wanger thinks this month is here because President Gerald Ford recognized that it was in 1976. Chuck Wagner is happy that Black History Month is here and he believes that it should be more celebrated those accomplishments of those people that had struggled through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights movement.
Wanger said, “ Because of my age, I am a big admirer towards Martin Luther King, Jr. He’s speaking words and his chance to influence others to peaceful resolution of issues, should be admired and used by all, no matter the skin color.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. had a speech known as “I Have a Dream,” Dr. King just said his speech changed lots of things and people too. King wasn’t sure that his dream would ever come true, or even happened. He felt like the U.S. needed this most and this dividing hatred would never be cured. Martin Luther King didn’t think this dream was gonna come true during his lifetime, and he was correct.
Black History Month is an important month for most Americans. African Americans have gone through a lot and they still do, the slavery that had gone on, the Civil War, and so much more. African Americans shouldn’t just be celebrated and treated right just this one month but should be every month. Who is that one African American that you admire?
