Students spoke out about how offensive the offerings were, and the president of the university issued an apology, calling it "inexcusably insensitive." Black History Month provides us all a time to celebrate the contribution of black people, reflect on recent events, and look to build a better, more diverse future. Dr. Kimya Dennis, an associate professor of sociology and criminal studies at Salem College in North Carolina, says that most institutions generally aren't inclusive and tend to ignore racial issues year round, so when they attempt to celebrate Black History Month, oftentimes they are doing so shallowly and insincerely. The brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, its aim was to encourage coordinated teaching of the history of black Americans in the nation's public schools. Reign also says it's best to not just limit your celebrations to the month of February. ", New York University and Loyola University Chicago's footsteps and offer a Black History Month menu, Soul food vs. Southern food, what's the difference? Observed since 1987, Black History Month aims to celebrate the important people and events in the history … Thus, Negro History Week marked a time for the nation to reflect on what Black people had achieved in the country in the wake of virulent racism. And don't celebrate by having corn bread and watermelon water for your office lunch. Today, people of all racial backgrounds celebrate June 12 as Loving Day throughout the nation. (Caribbean, Indian, etc.). If you're going to serve cornbread or collard greens, then you should have open dialogue as to why you're serving cornbread and include some historical context to make it into a learning experience.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month In 1976, the U.S. government expanded the weeklong celebration to Black History Month. July 1. Historian Carter G. Woodson launched the holiday, formerly known as Negro History Week, in 1926 because the contributions that Black Americans made to American culture and society were overlooked in history books in the early 20th century. Arguably, the biggest misconception about Kwanzaa is that only Black Americans may observe the event. Rico, Brittany, and Rose M. Kreider and Lydia Anderson. This year, we have seen, very sadly, the world slip back in its fight to eradicate injustice. February 1. To help you honor the accomplishments of black Americans, below is our collection of inspirational, wise and powerful Black History Month quotes, collected from a variety of sources over the years.

"if you’re in science class maybe you’re talking about 'Hidden Figures' that particular month," said Reign. Chicago History Museum / Getty Images. “Let truth destroy the dividing prejudice of nationality and teach universal love without distinction of race, merit or rank.” –Carter G. Woodson (P.S. "There’s a way to lurk it into the lesson so that’s it’s informative and not performative without it being obvious that we’re celebrating only because it’s Black History Month — let’s incorporate achievements of different cultures throughout the year. Charging Methodology, Statements & Budgets. Reign says that if people are going to serve food to celebrate, there has to be an educational component to it.

Maynard H. Jackson was elected the first black mayor of Atlanta.

More: Adidas pulls all white sneaker created for Black History Month in wake of Twitter backlash. Further north, the Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland will be celebrating coal miners of African Caribbean heritage with their exhibition, Digging Deep. Soon, mayors across the United States were endorsing the week as a holiday, and it prompted the creation of Black history clubs and an increase in interest. Educate and raise awareness of racism in the workplace and through the power of our networks. History, culture and appropriation. A Celebration Of Black History, Yesterday And Today, In 12 Jaw-Dropping Photos. "One must ask the question: Who is deciding what the black food is?" Black History Month is a great opportunity for people from all backgrounds to educate themselves on black history and the often-overlooked people who have made a difference to the country. Juneteenth advocates have worked for years for the federal government to institute a national day of recognition. Last year, a dining hall at NYU served a Black History Month meal with Kool-Aid, watermelon-flavored water, cornbread, collared greens and ribs. This has given us a chance to speak with colleagues and learn about not only their work – but their weekends, their lives, their cultures too. Here's what you shouldn't do during Black History Month: serve a "black" meal. "So if they decide to celebrate Black History Month, that’s the one time where they address blackness whereas any other time black people who attend schools or work there, feel like their blackness has to be downplayed," Dennis told USA TODAY regarding any institution that wants to celebrate the month. I like many of you watch with a growing sense of sadness as events unfold in America. Only the Departments of Education of the states of North Carolina, Delaware, and West Virginia showed any interest at first, but despite the less than enthusiastic response from school authorities, Woodson was optimistic. A proud nation which holds freedom so close to its heart, who elected a Black president and yet has so much unrest and inequality that it overflows into armed vigilantes.

She said it's like they're putting a Band-Aid over the real issues at hand. Kwanzaa marks a time for Black Americans to reflect on their heritage, their community, and their connection to Africa.

United States Census Bureau, 9 July 2018. The answer to that question isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. Discuss the history of that food as it pertains to black culture. October marks Black History Month, the annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK.

But why? Windrush: Portrait of a Generation is a photography exhibition being held at Brixton library to celebrate the Caribbean community of South London, while The Sounds of Croydon is an online showcase of Croydon’s most successful musicians "from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor to Stormzy.". Remember: the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. The other problem, Reign says, with serving a Black History Month meal is that oftentimes the planning committee and people who green-light these events are not black and the result is a … Smart DCC Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capita plc and is regulated by Ofgem. A List of Holidays of Interest to Black Americans. But not everyone understands their purpose. Their case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which decided on June 12, 1967 to strike down anti-miscegenation laws in the country. Finally, in 1983, legislation for a national King holiday passed.