Dr. Carter G. Woodson
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I got on my soap box. I was general upset with the energy that is put into this holiday. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. absolutely deserves the honor and respect. But it usually doesn’t extend past his day of recognition. There is not a display of energy year round to make his dream a reality. Some things that I say here may offend people, but I don’t care. As a woman, who happens to be black, that lives in America, I have a problem. I have a problem with the way black people are treated in America. And it gets bigger if I look at the way black women, in particular are treated. This is usually when people get upset and bust out the all lives matter talk. No one has every denied that. It is great that people are able to see the big picture, but let’s not miss the details.
We have one national holiday where we honor one man for his contributions to this country in regards to black people. We have one month where we highlight the achievements of black people in this country. And each year they recycle the same facts and the same people. Yet there is so much more black people have contributed and continues to contribute to this country. Why are we not talking about that?
Okay, so if I have a problem, my job is to find the solution or be the solution. I will be the solution. Each week I will post about a little known Black History fact, person or event, including current ones. Whatever I find that educates and intrigues me. And if it is something that you already know, good. If not, even better.
As a black person, I know how diverse and unique we are. I love my culture and my people. I dislike when we are stereotyped by ignorant people, experience discrimination based on passed down racist beliefs and ostracized for our differences. Expected to assimilate to fit in, when what we bring is needed and helps to make this world better. I love the skin I’m in. And if I had to do it all over again, I would want to come back as a black woman with my ex-boyfriend’s hair and a couple inches more on the height 😆. Seriously, not joking. And I hope that everyone loves themselves in the same way, no matter what your race is.
So here is a quick Black History fact.
Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson is known as the father of African American History. Dr. Woodson was an author, editor and historian. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 because he realized that black people’s contributions and history was going to be overlooked and excluded from the history books. In 1926, Dr. Woodson launched Negro History Week observed the second week of February to raise awareness and celebrate Black History. Dr. Woodson wrote over 30 books on Black History including The Mis-Education of the Negro, The Negro in Our History and The Journal of Negro History.
You can read more about Carter Woodson at these links,
https://www.wvstateu.edu/about/history-and-traditions/carter-g-woodson.aspx
https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-month
I am going to be honest, I have not done much research into black history before. The facts I know are the same ones that the majority of the population are familiar with as well. This will be educational and informational for me. I am looking forward to digging in and finding nuggets of Black History that have not really been discussed. If you know any lesser known Black History facts, please don’t hesitate to share them with me. Stay well and whole. Much Love 🧡💚