National Black History Month

National Black History Month has its origins in 1915, when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History External (ASALH). In forming ASALH, Dr. Woodson noted that African American contributions were “overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them.”

The year of 1915 also unfortunately marked the revival of the Ku Klux Klan led by William J. Simmons atop Stone Mountain in Georgia. The new Klan was heavily influenced by the 1905 book “The Clansman”, and the 1915 film, “The Birth of a Nation”.

Woodson believed that the only way to combat racism, white supremacy, and the “miseducation” of Black people was through education that highlighted the significant contributions of Black people to society, thereby challenging the lies and narratives pushed by organizations like the KKK. Through ASALH, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926.

In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week  urging all Americans to “recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by black citizens.”

In 1976, ASALH expanded this commemoration of Black history in the United States from a week-long observance to Black History Month, which also has been known as African American History Month. In the same year, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Month.

At this moment in time, there is an effort underway in the United States to ignore, suppress, and limit the stories and contributions of African Americans and other historically marginalized communities. We must reject such efforts as erasure of arts and humanities set a dangerous precedent. A clear and accurate record of history helps us face our present reality and gives a path toward our future.

The tactic of erasing the history of ethnic communities and groups is a tactic long used by extremists and authoritarians – from the burning of books by the Nazis to the Taliban destroying Buddha statutes. These tactics aim to eliminate different points of view, quell social movements, limit calls for justice, and seek to consolidate power in the hands of authoritarian regimes.

MHC is committed to continuing to tell the stories of all communities and continuing the legacy of Dr. Woodson. A strong society can hold, recognize, and reckon with all the stories that make up our interconnected, complicated, and beautiful fabric of humanity – we thank you for continuing to support MHC’s work in contributing to this intricately woven tapestry.