Unit 3: The Secret Road to Freedom (1ère G6)

Black History Month

The document under study is a video published in 2021 on USA Today Youtube Channel. It deals the concept of Black History Month. We have learned that Black History Month is celebrated in February every year In the USA and in Canada (in October in the UK). The founder of the concept was Carter G.Woodson, a famous African-American teacher, historian and publisher. At first, Woodson thought that black history would be part of/rooted in the American culture that he did not see the need for a Black History Month. However, in 1926 there was the first “Negro Week History” in the second week of February. The goals were on one hand, to prove that  black people had played a major role in American history and deserved to be treated equally. On another hand, to improve the visibility and reputation of black people against the media that was portraying/depicting them negatively.

Then, in 1976, it became a month thanks to some activists who lobbied for it to become a month. As a result, president Gerarld Ford made the first proclamation at the time. It then became official, approved by Congress in February 11^th, 1986.

Nevertheless, Black History Month has been controversial because some people think it is useless, some other people think there should be a white history month or even a confederate history month.

To finish with, despite the official recognition, only 9% of history class is spent on Black History month in American schools. Besides, in some states it is completely ignored.

Homework: Learn the lesson.