MARCH 7, 2025 BLACK HISTORY 99th annual observance of Black American history and culture The year 2025 marks the 99th year of observance and celebration of Black American history and culture. Next year, 2026, will be the centennial anniversary of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s vision of putting the African American experience at the center, not the margins, of the great American story. Who is Carter G. Woodson? Woodson is a famous Black American historian. He was the second Black man to earn a PhD at Harvard University. (The first Black person to earn such honors was W.E.B. DuBois, author of the classic book titled, “The Souls of Black Folks.” DuBois was prophetic when he wrote in the 1890s that “the problem of the 20th century will be the problem of the color-line.” The prophecy for the 21st century is anyone’s guess. He also introduced the psychological concept of “double consciousness.” While growing up in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, at the age of 12, DuBois experienced overt racism and prejudice which made him ask, “How does it feel to be seen as a problem?”) Like DuBois, Woodson experienced racism and marginalization during his youth and adulthood. Before Woodson called for the establishment of “Negro History Week” in the month of February, he founded the Journal of Negro History. February's significance Why observe and celebrate Black history and culture in the second half of the month of February? Woodson wanted to honor Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (February 14th). Our history books and documents teach us that Abraham Lincoln did more than any politician in America to bring the moral question of slavery to a national debate. Frederick Douglass’ oratory and eloquence inspired abolitionists and moderate Republicans of the northern states during the 1860s and 1870s to help end slavery and undertake post-civil war reconstruction efforts. Those moderate Republicans of the northern regions were called, “The Radical Republicans.” The post-civil war reconstruction efforts ended in 1876 after the presidential election that some historians considered controversial. The Union soldiers were withdrawn from the southern states. Consequently, the rights and privileges gained by former slaves and their families were put at risk. Oppressive and restrictive measures put in place by the southern KKK magnified, leading to the “separate but equal” Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. That decision was overturned by the Brown v. Board of Education case of May 17, 1954, ushering in a second reconstruction in the 1960s. It was important to Dr. Woodson that each year’s observance and celebration carry a banner which he called a theme. Last year’s theme was “A Celebration of Black Art.” The 2025 theme is a celebration of Black labor. In the 2024 election there were politicians who implied that immigrants were crossing the border to take away “Black jobs.” At the Black Journalist Association meeting in Chicago, a journalist asked the candidate what he meant by that. The response was that he meant all kinds of Black jobs, but many people took it to mean low-paid jobs. Black labor is diverse. It includes presidents, teachers, nurses, law-makers, governors. Conclusion Black history transitioned from a week of celebration and awareness to a month-long event. The National Archives noted that “on February 10, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so.” The previous year, 1975, Ford signed a resolution recognizing Black Awareness week, “urging all Americans to recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by Black citizens.” In 1975 Woodson’s organization, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month. urged Ford to sign a proclamation the next year, which would recognize a “Black History Month.” He did! Presidents of both parties have written messages to accompany their annual proclamations. President Ford’s message was indeed heartfelt. The National Archives said that President Ford called upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Ford’s Presidential message of 1976 inspired the U.S. Congress of 1986 to pass the Public Law 99-224 which has ever since recognized February as our National Black History Month. We recommend to our readers to Google and find images of the U.S. Post Office display of African Americans of Historical Significance in honor of Black Heritage Month. There are hundreds of them. Those images show the diversity of Black labor, Black occupations and Black working life. Also, the post office has a listing of more than 1000 African-Amercans from all walks of life that have made significant contributions to the greatness of America. Recently, many journalists and historians say the nation is at a crossroads in terms of valuing the achievements of minority groups including the African-American community. Uncertainty abounds! However, we live in a highly optimistic society. No matter what challenges we face, we are inclined toward keeping hope alive, and clinging steadfastly to our dreams. WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5
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