Born in 1875, Carter G. Woodson was a child of former slaves who had little money to raise a family. Woodson worked in the dusty coal mines in Kentucky until he could enroll in high school at age 20. His life began much the same as many other black men at this time, although it didn’t continue that way.
After graduating from college and earning a master’s at the University of Chicago, Woodson received a Ph. D in history from Harvard where he noticed that African-American accomplishments were absent from his textbooks.
Determined to correct the omission of blacks from school curriculum, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 and began his life-long dedication to honoring the successes of African Americans.
In 1926, Woodson established Negro History Week, scheduling it for the second week of February because the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14th) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12th) fall during this week.
Negro History Week became widely celebrated, even after Woodson’s death in 1950. Following the rise of the Black Power Movement in the 1960s, the week-long event turned into a month of acknowledgment and education in 1976.
Today, February is considered a month of recognition for influential blacks in American history, such as Woodson, who believed that eventually the month (then week) would be eradicated and considered unnecessary with increased integration.
Abrina Wheatfall, the co-director of the Black Student Union, said she believes Black History Month has had a positive effect in fighting racism and helping the civil rights movement, although this recognition shouldn’t stop when February ends.
“It’s important to honor and emphasize (black history) in February and then continue honoring it throughout the year,” Wheatfall said. “I don’t think (black history) education is taught in schools as much as it should be.”
The Black Student Union is working to create entertaining and educational events for students to attend. Civil Rights activist Angela Davis spoke to a packed audience in 150 Columbia, and the organization held a forum and candlelight vigil for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., both held in January.
The Black Heritage Ball, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will be held on Feb. 24, honoring influential black musicians, politicians, entertainers and others.
The theme of the ball, which will be held in the Student Recreation Center Bonus Room from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., is “A Black Carpet Affair,” reflecting the formal and classy ambiance of a night filled with music and dancing, Wheatfall said. The event is free for students and $3 for non-students.
The Sigma Delta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., which has members at both UO and Oregon State University, is putting on the 14th annual Black Heritage Fashion Show this Saturday, said University student McCall Hall. The event will be previewed this Friday in the Emerald.
Throughout the month, events will be taking place around the country honoring black women and men who have made a difference.
In Philadelphia, the Freedom Theater and African American Museum, host “Freedom Fest,” which recognizes African-American playwrights and directors through staged readings.
In Washington D.C., the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum is holding a tribute exhibit to African-American quilt makers, while Monroe, La., hosts its annual Black History Parade.
In Portland, Reed College is hosting a series of lectures on civil rights and jazz music, in addition to a jazz piano performance by Randy Weston and an art exhibition by Jacob Lawrence.
For more information on University events mentioned in this article, visit www.uoregon.edu/~bsu/.
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Events in the nation
Throughout the month, events will be taking place around the country honoring black women and men who have made a difference.
In Portland, Reed College is hosting a series of lectures on civil rights and jazz music, in addition to a jazz piano performance by Randy Weston and an art exhibition by Jacob Lawrence.
In Philadelphia, the Freedom Theater and African American Museum, host “Freedom Fest,” which recognizes African-American playwrights and directors through staged readings.
In Washington D.C., the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum is holding a tribute exhibit to African-American quilt makers, while Monroe, La., hosts its annual Black History Parade.
1619- First African slaves are introduced into America.
1787- Slavery is made illegal in the Northwest Territory.
1808- The U.S. bans the importation of African slaves.
1831- Nat Turner, a preacher, leads a bloody slave revolt in Virginia.
1846- Frederick Douglass launches “The North Star,” an abolitionist newspaper.
1850- The underground railroad is started by William Still.
1853- “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is published by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a white abolitionist.
1857- The Dred Scott decision states that Congress can’t ban slavery in states and slaves are not citizens.
1861-65- The Civil War erupts (and ends), Lincoln gives the Emancipation Proclamation before he is assassinated and the Ku Klux Klan is formed.
1868- The 14th Amendment is passed, declaring slaves born in the U.S. are citizens.
1870- The 15th Amendment is passed, giving blacks the right to vote.
1896- Segregation is legalized.
1914- Marcus Garvey establishes the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
1920-30s- The Harlem Renaissance thrives, creating a new intellectual black culture identity.
1847- Jackie Robinson is signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1954 – Brown v. Board of Education declares racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional.
1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat at the front of the bus to a white passenger.
1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested during anti-segregation protests in Birmingham, Ala.
1965 – Malcolm X is assassinated.
1966 – The Black Panthers are founded.
1968 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.
1978 – The Supreme Court case Regents of the University of California v. Bakke declares affirmative action constitutional.
1992 – Race riots in south-central Los Angeles fill the streets after a jury acquits four white police officers for the (videotaped) beating of Rodney King.