Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Father of Black History
By “Sister Tarpley”, NDG Religious Editor
The month of February is United States’ observation of Black History. The 2016 theme is “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.”
It is disheartening to think of the controversy surrounding this very important holiday.
Some people joked, “We were given the shortest month of the year to celebrate our history.” This is not just Black History that we are celebrating, not just America’s history, but history of the world.
Many great and useful inventions that are being used worldwide, and that are taken for granted were invented by Black people. The “gamma-electric cell” phone was invented by a Black man, the car battery and open heart surgery to name a few essential things that are in use today.
Some people think that it’s by pure accident that some Black people, the same ones that we hear about year after year; have done something worthwhile.
People easily accept that we have a few famous entertainers, sports figures and a few entrepreneurs making millions of dollars; but they are slow to recognize that there are many Black people that have excelled, and are continuing to excel and inventing devices, and, they use math and science to make a difference in how we live, work, play, and entertain today.
As a retired teacher, I too wish that all history of great magnitude is put in our textbooks, especially Black history, which is American’s history; in spite of what we have been taught.
But wishing it is not going to get the information in our textbooks on the grand scale that it needs to be.
The story of Carter Godwin Woodson, Father of Black History (December 1875 – April 1950) is a captivating and inspiration story in itself.
Dr. Woodson said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
When Dr. Woodson established Negro History week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public.
The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention to important developments that merit emphasis.
He believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country.
Dr. Woodson strongly believed that Black history—which others (even some Black people) have tried so diligently to erase—is a firm foundation for young Black people to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society.
Prior to “Negro History WEEK,“ Dr. Woodson and several of his friends established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In the 1960s it was established as Black History MONTH.
In 1912 Dr. Woodson, received his Ph.D in history from Harvard University. He developed an important philosophy of history.
History, he insisted, was not the mere gathering of fact. The object of historical study is to arrive at a reasonable interpretation of the facts.
History is more than political and military records of people and nations. It must include some description of the social conditions of the period being studied.
Dr. Woodson often said that he hoped the time would come when Negro History Week would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black people as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country.
His concept has given a profound sense of dignity to all Black people; and we must not forget it! Nor should we stop Black History Month.
This article was an enlightening read for me. I am so grateful to have come across it. More of our people (African American) along with all other races, need to be informed of the many great influences blacks have had on our world.
Thank you and we certainly agree more of us know need to be aware of our rich heritage.
The article was on point. I have always made my kids find different black people in history other than the famous people