We cannot talk about American history without talking about African American history. And who you are needs to have a sense of self. Winter is starting to end and the weather is starting to get nicer is one of those reasons, but the most important thing about February is the fact that it is nationally known as Black History Month. by Guest Contributor. The history that we are taught should not be a one-sided, watered down and edited version. The impact of African-Americans on this country - as well as Asians, Latinos, Mexicans, and other races - is a part of us all and taking the time to remember the contributions of African American's to our great country ties everyone into the diverse history of our … I’ll tell you why you should stop and reasons why it’s important to come together as a community to do better and to make change. And this history tells a story. History isn’t just an essential introduction to your … It is not possible to live in America without seeing incidents … For yourself, your children, your children’s children and generations to come. We’d like to know what your story is and why Black History Month is important to you. African American, or black, history is a subject that has been largely repressed, rewritten, and condensed in the cataloging of American history. Celebrating Provides an Opportunity to Highlight the Best of Black History & Culture. … The story of Black life experiences and contributions to this country is rich. Published in Wellington, Ontario. Black history is important for many reasons; it teaches us that no matter what obstacles that you face, no matter what people try to force you to be, no matter what ‘chains’ are placed around your ankles, it is possible to overcome and rise above it. Distributed each week throughout Prince Edward County. It celebrates diversity. The Times is not responsible for advertisers’ claims. Florida’s Commissioner of Education’s African American History Task Force has one simple mission: educate students about the many contributions Black … There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. You make me proud to be Canadian while embracing our diversity. This year, people are listening and learning. Record your thoughts and email them to us at thecolorspodcast@gmail.com and follow … Black history is important because it is not just for the comfort of people of colour, it has the ability to enable levels of understanding and compassion. One of the many suggestions you see in those articles is that Black history should be taught all year, which is why you are reading this in September. Get the App. These stories have a lot to teach you about yourself. This makes the world a more beautiful place, a place to be proud of, a place to look around us and see the wonders in it. The Times is independently owned and operated. That children and adults who were taught about slavery get a negative mindset this creates this type of thinking, “This is how they were treated and we were taught this, so what’s the sense of changing the way we think and our perspectives on how we treat each other?’’. Scholar and historian Carter G. Woodson chose the second week in February, as it contained the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, to bring awareness to African Americans’ role in shaping U.S. history. Together we celebrate their accomplishments, people such as Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Brother Livingston of CUPE, to name just a few. These two stories are intrinsically intertwined. Black history teaches us about the positive contributions and accomplishments that people of color have made to this country, to this country’s growth and development. I’m a proud Canadian and I want to have the opportunity to learn about the history of this country. And the fact that Black … Black History month is also important to me because it allows others to learn about the many black people who came before us who helped build a better world. Black History Month began as a “Negro History Week” in 1926. It reminds us that black history, is a part of all history, our history as a whole. The Black history celebrations expanded to a week-long event. February is Black History Month, a time the country highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of Black Americans. Black History is also important because there are many forces today, right now in America, which wants to reset the clock and go backwards in time … February is Black History Month, a time the country highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of Black Americans. 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When African-American history is studied all year round, children understand that African-American history is important. If that is true, then the knowledge, wisdom, and experience they acquired … President Gerald Ford decreed Black History Month a national observance in 1976. February is a nice month of the year for many reasons. Rihanna Harris is a Grade Six student at PECI. A warm invitation to examine and discard old attitudes and behaviors. In the month of February you will find countless articles about Black History Month. Powerfully written and delivered, Rihanna! “Those who … I think a big part of this has to do with the fact that we are only taught the negative aspects of Black history. I read about Paul Revere and his midnight ride. Woodson believed that it was essential for young African Americans to understand and be proud of their heritage. To break … And that’s why it’s so important to embrace Black History Month, so we can build a better future. Editor’s note: The remainder of this article first appeared on 9/17/19, and some comments date from then. According to Scott, after Woodson wrote The Journal of Negro History in 1916, which chronicled the overlooked achievements of African Americans, he sought to amplify Black people's success and spread his findings to a wider audience. The Importance of Black History. Woodson believed that the celebration and documentation of history was integral to the survival and sustainability of any race. Black History Month, which is celebrated each year during February, is a chance for Americans to learn details of our nation’s history that, unfortunately, are far too often neglected and pushed to the wayside. With someone deciding what we, the next generation of students, are able to learn. Hopefully a renewed Black History Month can focus attention on the importance of preserving African American culture. I believe that since we are only taught about negative historical events about Black people it affects how we, as a community and country treat each other. Let’s remember the good thoughts & ideas that our G.P.s & parents passed along & listen to the next 3 or 4 generations coming behind us. Please continue to share your knowledge along this information path. I’ve been advocating for Black history to be mandatory in our local schools. Why Students Need Black History All Year. For me, Black History Month should still matter; it is still the useful tool in the struggle for racial fairness that Woodson envisioned over 90 years ago. He rode north with the same exact message. Our ability to treat our neighbor as equal makes a statement about who we are, where we are headed & what we will become. Celebrates diversity our history as a country why black history is important a community need to listen more intently the. 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