Happy February and Happy Black History Month! As you know, February is Black History Month, which I personally look forward to each year. Thank you Carter Woodson! 100 years ago, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, American historian, author, journalist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, launched a movement that ultimately created the first Black History Month.
I love history and give an unabashed shout-out to those who came before me. It is fascinating to read or hear about the accomplishments and challenges of my people, African Americans, who were once forbidden to learn how to read or write but nevertheless persisted despite threats and harsh punishment.
This month, I want to particularly recognize black women historians like Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Eleanor Smith, and Eleanor Porter, who founded the Black Women Historian Association. They all opened venues for many others to learn the contributions and historical impacts of black American women. They have advanced the study of Black Women’s History with books like Rosalyn Terborg-Penn’s “African Women in the Struggle for the Vote.”
Black history is American history, as is women’s history, Latina history and so on. Learning our collective histories has always been a challenge due to lack of documentation, records or other critical source material. Many times, it became deeply hidden history because of deliberate omission and/or suppression!
And today we face challenges including banning books like the story of Ruby Bridges, the courageous black girl who integrated an all-white school in Louisiana.
Throughout time, there have been many attempts to nullify black history, whitewash and dilute black history by banning books that cover civil rights and racism, and punish or fire teachers and principals who added Black history to school curriculum.
This is the backdrop as we prepare activities to celebrate Black History Month this year. However, recent attempts to whitewash or end the teaching Black history - and other ethnic histories - in our schools and institutions will not succeed! The good news is that many people of all ages are continuing to seek out historical information to better understand our shared history.
We have great organizations like the National Women’s History Alliance and others who are committed to educating and sharing our historical roots. I have learned a lot through my involvement with the National Women’s History Alliance for more than a dozen years.
Personally, as a black woman, I am proud to learn of the accomplishments of my ancestors, who were mostly brought to the American continent to be slaves. “Making a way out of no way,” our elders would say.
In the earlier days of Black History Month, athletes’ and entertainers’ achievements were especially highlighted. Athea Gibson, professional tennis player, was the first black athlete to win the Grand Slam. She went on to win 11 Grand Slams. The most recent quarter issued by the U.S. Mint bears her name and image.
Today, we also celebrate women like:
Katherine Johnson, who was virtually a “human computer” with NASA. Her mathematical calculations were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S.-crewed spaceflights.
Dr. Patricia Bath was an inventor and ophthalmologist who held five patents on her work with a laser device.
And vibrant National Park Ranger Betty Reid Soskin, a local figure who died last December at 104. Her stories and presence at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in nearby Richmond educated and regaled countless visitors.
The fact is, Black History is American History! It is an integral part of the American story, as is that of Native American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islanders and American European descendants. Our personal and collective stories are really treasures for us to cherish and enjoy.
One idea this year is to make up black history trivia games. It’s a great way to make history fun, accessible and memorable. My sister-friend Judy and I are competing for success against our granddaughters. I suspect I may lose because a little bribery to learn may be involved. But however you do it, I hope you have fun celebrating Black History Month this year.
Thank you.
Diana Medoshi
I love history and give an unabashed shout-out to those who came before me. It is fascinating to read or hear about the accomplishments and challenges of my people, African Americans, who were once forbidden to learn how to read or write but nevertheless persisted despite threats and harsh punishment.
This month, I want to particularly recognize black women historians like Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Eleanor Smith, and Eleanor Porter, who founded the Black Women Historian Association. They all opened venues for many others to learn the contributions and historical impacts of black American women. They have advanced the study of Black Women’s History with books like Rosalyn Terborg-Penn’s “African Women in the Struggle for the Vote.”
Black history is American history, as is women’s history, Latina history and so on. Learning our collective histories has always been a challenge due to lack of documentation, records or other critical source material. Many times, it became deeply hidden history because of deliberate omission and/or suppression!
And today we face challenges including banning books like the story of Ruby Bridges, the courageous black girl who integrated an all-white school in Louisiana.
Throughout time, there have been many attempts to nullify black history, whitewash and dilute black history by banning books that cover civil rights and racism, and punish or fire teachers and principals who added Black history to school curriculum.
This is the backdrop as we prepare activities to celebrate Black History Month this year. However, recent attempts to whitewash or end the teaching Black history - and other ethnic histories - in our schools and institutions will not succeed! The good news is that many people of all ages are continuing to seek out historical information to better understand our shared history.
We have great organizations like the National Women’s History Alliance and others who are committed to educating and sharing our historical roots. I have learned a lot through my involvement with the National Women’s History Alliance for more than a dozen years.
Personally, as a black woman, I am proud to learn of the accomplishments of my ancestors, who were mostly brought to the American continent to be slaves. “Making a way out of no way,” our elders would say.
In the earlier days of Black History Month, athletes’ and entertainers’ achievements were especially highlighted. Athea Gibson, professional tennis player, was the first black athlete to win the Grand Slam. She went on to win 11 Grand Slams. The most recent quarter issued by the U.S. Mint bears her name and image.
Today, we also celebrate women like:
Katherine Johnson, who was virtually a “human computer” with NASA. Her mathematical calculations were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S.-crewed spaceflights.
Dr. Patricia Bath was an inventor and ophthalmologist who held five patents on her work with a laser device.
And vibrant National Park Ranger Betty Reid Soskin, a local figure who died last December at 104. Her stories and presence at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in nearby Richmond educated and regaled countless visitors.
The fact is, Black History is American History! It is an integral part of the American story, as is that of Native American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islanders and American European descendants. Our personal and collective stories are really treasures for us to cherish and enjoy.
One idea this year is to make up black history trivia games. It’s a great way to make history fun, accessible and memorable. My sister-friend Judy and I are competing for success against our granddaughters. I suspect I may lose because a little bribery to learn may be involved. But however you do it, I hope you have fun celebrating Black History Month this year.
Thank you.
Diana Medoshi