African Americans have contributed tremendously to the development and gains of America’s prosperity. Black History Month is a time to reflect and honor Black Americans’ past and present contributions. Black History Month shares and teaches positive aspects of Black America’s culture and removes traditional negative stereotypes that have formed over the years. Black History Month is for all nationalities to celebrate by learning and experiencing African Americans’ customs, beliefs, and traditions.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History created the second week in February as Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, thanks partly to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of the Black identity. Negro History Week eventually evolved into Black History Month on numerous college campuses. Carter G. Woodson chose the month of February for several reasons. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays are in February, and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded on February 12, 1909. Ultimately, with Presidential assistance, The United States transformed the commemoration week into a month. Since 1976, every president has designated February as Black History Month and incorporated a theme. The theme for 2024 is African Americans and the Arts, exploring key influences of visual and performing arts and other forms of cultural expression. African American art infuses African, Caribbean, and Black-American life experiences.
Black contributions were essential to America’s economic development, which reached into Unionization that drove Americans’ ingenuities and mindsets toward a competitive nature that forged race and social groups together. One of the earlier black Civil Rights Activists and labor leaders was Philip Randolph, who founded the nation’s first major Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), in 1925. Despite the momentous strives of the Civil Rights Movement, racism and discrimination are still thriving in the fabric of America today. George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This month informs young and old to understand better the importance of the racial struggles and accomplishments that have changed and shaped America. Black History Month goes beyond racism. It also celebrates and recognizes the achievements that African Americans have accomplished and the role we all have in a better tomorrow.
In Solidarity,
AFGE TSA Council 100
Written By: Aurelia Robinson
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Thomas Schoregge, Region 1 V.P. | John Hubert, Region 2 V.P. | Janis Casey, Region 3 V.P. | Becky Mancha, Region 4 V.P. | Greg Biel, Region 5 V.P. | Bobby Orozco Jr., Region 6 V.P. | Joe Shuker, Region 7 V.P. | Victor Payes Martinez, Fair Practices Coordinator | Concetta Fialkowski, Women’s Coordinator