What we know today as Black History Month began as Negro History week in 1926. It was started by historian and author Carter G. Woodson (pictured above), and was originally observed during the second week of February to coincide with the birth of Frederick Douglas. It later evolved into Black History Month in 1970 at Kent State University.
Woodson, who wrote the classic "Miseducation Of The Negro" noticed that people of African origin in America were only receiving a European centered education. African people have always gotten a full orientation into European centered culture, which has stripped them of their identity and their cultural dignity. Woodsons' aim was to change that paradigm.
Much can be said about the history of African people, archaeologists, anthropologists and paleontologists all trace the origin of humanity back to Africa. Everyone agrees that Africans gave civilization and humanity to the world. Those first humans can be traced back to the eastern portion of Africa, they are said to be 3 million years old. The first known humans from the south eastern part of Africa are known as The San Bushmen. Some of the San traveled 1500 miles north to what is known as Tanzania today, the are known as The Hadzabe. they continued to migrate north eventually leaving Africa for Europe, Asia and indeed the rest of the world.
The system of miseducation is not being honest about the origin of humanity, as a result everyone, Black, White and otherwise is being cheated. So-called educators do not realize how the Eurocentric education harms everyone. The public school to prison pipeline is a real phenomenon that needs to be analyzed more closely. The school system both public and private are failing our children, the system is broken and in need of serious repair.
The way history is taught in school, African history begins with slavery from 1555 to 1619. The curriculum never teaches of the greatness of African People prior to the legacy of enslavement, or prior to European Colonialism.There are many African nations worth studying, The Zulu, The Dogon, The Yoruba and many others.
Many people are tired of hearing the word slavery and would much rather not deal with the topic. Many in the so-called conscious community focus only on Ancient Kemet (Egypt) or The Moors.While these were great African cultures there is plenty more to know about African history.
Even though slavery is a topic many would rather avoid, the story of Fountain Hughes is worth paying attention to. On This last and final day of African History Month we want to pay homage to brother Hughes. He was born into slavery before it was abolished and told his story on a tape recording before his death in 1957. Take some time and listen to the very words of a former slave. This is the sort of thing that is not heard everyday.