There Is No American History Without Black History

Sara Clarke Kaplan, Executive Director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University in Washington D.C., stated these words, “There is no American history without African American history.” Kaplan further submits that the Black experience is rooted in “everything we think of as ‘American history.’” Kaplan has a valid point. The frame of the United States of America is a byproduct of the direct blood, sweat, and tears of Black efforts. A result of chattel slavery pressed upon a people who were stolen and could not run fast enough nor swim far enough back home without paying the ultimate price. An aftereffect of a system created to benefit those in power and reduce Black people to property. There is absolutely no American history without Black history.

The month of February is recognized annually as Black History Month. It originally came about in 1926 as “Negro History Week” during the second week of February (to fall in line with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass). Historian and scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson is revered as the father of Black history, and first established Negro History Week with the hope to honor Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass for their noteworthy connection and contributions to the Black community surrounding freedom and rights. Dr. Woodson also sought to uplift the achievements of all Black people. After all, there is no American history without Black history.

The idea behind Negro History Week (and ultimately Black History Month) stemmed from Woodson’s presence at a 1915 celebration which was held to highlight the 50^th anniversary of emancipation. Woodson became motivated - in partnership with others – to found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This group was designed to motivate scholars to study and speak to Black history in a time where institutions of learning, by-and-large, were both currently and had previously been refusing to do so. Encouraged by Woodson, his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., launched “Negro History and Literature Week” in 1924. Two years following this, in 1926, in order to bring continued attention to Black history, Negro History Week was officially launched by Woodson and the ASNLH. As the years passed, and in light of the ongoing struggle for equality and equity + the Civil Rights Movement, many naturally started to refer to Negro History Week as Black History Month. President Gerald Ford implored the country to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In 1976, Black History Month came to be what it is known as today. There is no American history without Black history.

 Current day, Black History Month calls us to pause yearly in order to observe and lift up the accomplishments of Black Americans. Adults and children alike may learn about inventor Garrett Morgan, who created the three-way stoplight. They may hear about Maya Angelou and her meaning-making associated with poetry. They could be made familiar with Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and her fight for equity or athlete Sha’Carri Richardson on her journey of resilience. Black History Month is intentionally set in the acknowledgment and encouragement of the achievements of all Black people. There is no American history without Black history.