Diversifying literature, media and friend groups, celebrates Black culture, says BYUH student
An annual tradition that has continued since the era of racial segregation in the United States and was officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford, Black History Month is the recognition of the crucial history of African Americans in the United State and the celebration of their achievements, reports National Public Radio journalist Scott Neuman.
“If a race has no history ... no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated,” said Carter G. Wood- son, who Neuman says has been referred to as the “father of Black history” by scholars.
In an NPR article, Neuman further says Black History Month’s purpose is to honor the contributions African Americans have made as well as what they have sacrificed.
Freshman Azariah McFarlane said Black History Month focuses on “important parts of [our] history and how [we] got to where we are today.”
While her family didn’t have a party to celebrate Black History Month, McFarlane, a hospitality and tourism major from Florida, said, “I feel like the family and culture itself is a celebration, with all my family near, we are always together. ... Black history shouldn’t be celebrated month by month. It should be celebrated year round.”
Celebrating BHM
Sharing McFarlane’s sentiments, Gracie Payne, a sophomore from Virginia majoring in communications, said she also feels Black culture and history should be commemorated all year round. Payne said her mother loves to send her articles surrounding Black news, history and empowerment, which has helped her develop a stronger bond and love for herself.
Also commenting on BHM, Sarah Francis, a senior majoring in social work from Connecticut, said it is about designating a time and a space to talk about how America was not built just by the white man, but by immigrants, enslaved human beings and the indigenous communities. This month acknowledges all the effort [put] into making modern-day America.”
Spreading awareness of Black culture and history
“I would like to see real stories from Black [narratives] who have actually been through these events,” said Payne, who explained she would like to see Black culture incorporated more into the media.
Francis commented, “A way to celebrate Black culture is to diversify your literature, your media and friend groups. Make everything in your life multifaceted, hear from different voices, listen to different stories.” She said doing good brings good, especially to the systematically oppressed.
McFarlane explained there is not much knowledge or teaching of Black history in school. “I think [Black history] should be more incorporated in academics at school.” She explained if more was taught, then there would be more awareness and respect for Black culture and history. She noted how rich Black culture is and how it can be seen everywhere.
McFarlane encouraged anyone who wants to become informed about Black culture and history to take charge and use their resources. “We have the internet. If you don’t know, search it up [and] educate yourself,” said McFarlane.
Finding comfort
Francis said she loves everything about being Black. She shared, “Being Black has made me a very communal person. ... It has made me a lover of life and a lover of people. Me being Black and all the things I encompass makes me happier because there is more love in my life, because I know how it feels to be excluded for things I can’t control.”
Francis explained being Black has helped her see how beautiful color is, value differences and love special things. “[Being] Black is a very empowering thing. Being Black is amazing. There is just so much culture,” McFarlane said.
She conveyed her joy and pride in Black music and explained how music brings unity in communities. “The togetherness of Black people, there is a culture within us [that] brings us together because we’ve been through so much as a community. We are a community [who] understands each other and are there for each other,” she said.
Payne shared her journey of becoming comfortable in her own skin and her belief in the importance of taking pride and feeling joy in being of Black descent. She said she loves Black fashion and the freeing expression she feels from it. “Being Black is a blessing. Becoming comfortable in your skin is resistance [in itself].”
Origins of BHM
The origins of BHM began with Woodson, who chose February as a time to encourage attention on and pride in Black contributions to civilization, Neuman says.
According to The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, “[Woodson believed] Black people should be proud of their heritage and all Americans should understand the largely overlooked achievements of Black Americans.”
Neuman shares BHM has a theme every year. According to The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) website, each “theme reflects changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies and the aspirations of the Black community.”
The theme for February 2023 was “Black Resistance.” The ASALH website explains how African Americans have resisted the historic and ongoing oppression of destructive acts such as lynching, police brutality and racial pogroms, which are violent riots incited with the aim of massacring or expelling groups of people. The website describes how Black people have sought ways to “nurture and protect Black lives” through nonviolence, education, literature, sports and media.