| Black History Month and recognizing women our culture bearers |
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| Written by Publisher | |
| Friday, 01 February 2008 | |
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As the world celebrates Black History Month 2008, we continue in the legacy of the founder – Carter G. Woodson - speaking a fundamental truth to the world that Africans and peoples of African descent are makers of history and co-workers in what W. E. B. Du Bois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” Locally, the StandPoint is celebrating black history month with a special supplement, which will feature our culture bearers - women. Over the years, women have continued to play an integral role in the shaping of our culture. Many have never been recognised nor given the true recognition for what they have done. Women have contributed to almost every sector of this Territory’s existence and can equally take the praise for bringing us to where we are today.
Similarly, the contributions of our community builders, the women who have been farming all of their lives, continuing a culture that they have learnt from their fore parents and handed down to their children. To the women who still sit at the sea side and wait to hoist their fish pots. Recognition should also be given to the women who are responsible for the education of our nation, and the women who have been responsible for helping the country grow politically, socially and even in sports. These are the women who are our culture bearers and helped to make and shape who we are today as a people. As the Territory celebrates Black History Month throughout the month of February, we will bring recognition to our culture bearers. It does not take away from the fact that men are also our culture bearers and shapers, but women deserve this special recognition since, in those days, many of their contributions were somewhat overlooked because of their gender. How it all started The story of Black History Month began with historian Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was passionate about black history. His passion, however, evolved in the most unlikely place. While working at a coal mine when he was twenty, the daily conversation of the black Civil War veterans often focused on interesting historical facts not recorded in history books. Woodson who was raised in New Canton, Virginia and the son of a former slave, realized that despite the constantly evolving history of the African American experience, documentation was sparse. Woodson’s enthusiasm led him to college where he earned a bachelor degree in European history and a Ph.D. in history. As a new graduate, he managed to earn a living as a high school teacher and later as a professor of history at
After the organisation received substantial funding, Woodson was able to resign from Howard and dedicate all of his time to the Association. Through the organisation, he established a home study programme, directed the study of African American history in schools, hired researchers to search the international archives, and lastly, he founded the Associated Publishers. It published books and resources about black history. The Association also published the quarterly publication the Journal of Negro History, which was distributed throughout the world. In 1926, Woodson finally came across an idea that would forever associate his name with Black History Month. Negro History Week, as it was called by the black fraternity Omega Psi Phi, was a week in February dedicated to celebrating the achievements of blacks. Their celebration was somewhat stagnant until Woodson offered to put the Association’s name behind the idea in February 1926. Through Woodson’s promotion of the celebration in the Journal of Negro History and the creation and distribution of kits for children, Negro History Week gained in popularity. In 1976, it evolved into Black History Month. Comments (0)
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