Every February, the United States recognizes the second month of the year as Black History Month. This month is promoted as a time to reflect on Black history and heritage in order to celebrate Black people and their accomplishments. As insignificant as a month is, especially the shortest month of the year, as a replacement to the deserved reparations (such as is any other month celebrating an ethnic group or race), it is still important to celebrate Black history during this month and all throughout the year. Not only does Black History Month itself have an important history but also, one of the best ways to support Black people during Black History Month (or anytime), in addition to learning about Black history, is to put your money where your mouth is and donate!
THE HISTORY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Originally, Black history month began as “Negro History Week” as coined by Carter G. Woodson on February 7, 1926. Eventually, this led to Black History Month as there was a need to “extend and deepen the study and scholarship on African American history, all year long.” According to popular belief, Woodson selected the month of February because it encompasses the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass as both played significant roles in the shaping of Black History.
Since the assassination of Lincoln in 1865, members of the Black community celebrated the late president’s birthday and Douglass’ legacy was celebrated since the late 1890s by Black Americans. According to Daryl Micheal Scott, former president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) “Well aware of the pre-existing celebrations, Woodson built Negro History Week around traditional days of commemorating the Black past. He was asking the public to extend their study of Black history, not to create a new tradition.” Despite building “Negro Week” around the pre-existing traditions of celebrating Lincoln and Douglass, he was aiming to shift it from the study of these men and instead to the study of the Black race. “Woodson believed that history was made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men” and recognized that, instead of Lincoln, Black soldiers and sailors in the Union Army freed slaves.
In the beginning, Negro History Week was met with an overwhelmingly positive response during which, it appeared before the public across the country in schools. The 1920s was the decade of the “New Negro” because of the rising racial pride and consciousness within the Black community. Woodson and ASALH furthered the establishment of the week by setting a theme for the annual celebration and providing the public with study materials. Furthermore, this study flow of knowledge encouraged high schools in progressive communities to establish Negro History Clubs.
During the 1940s, the members of the Black began efforts to expand the study and celebrations of Black history in schools and before the public. Black teachers in the south sometimes taught “Negro History” in addition to U.S. History and during the Civil Rights Movement, the Freedom Schools utilized Black history in the curriculum to advance social change. Additionally, in the 1940s, Black people in Woodson’s home state of West Virginia began celebrating the entire month of February as “Negro History Month.” In Chicago, cultural activist Federick H. Hammaurabi began celebrating Negro History Month during the mid-1960s by using his cultural center House of Knowledge to “fuse African consciousness with the study of the Black past.” Afterward, as young Black people gained consciousness of historical links with Africa, Black history month quickly began replacing Negro History Week. In 1976 (fifty years since the first celebration), ASALH was able to institutionalize the shift from a week to a month and implement the change from Negro history to Black history. Every year since the mid-1970s, every U.S. president has endorsed the ASALH’s theme.
While Black History Month has a significant history of its own, learning this is not the only way to celebrate this month and support the Black community. For everything Black people have done for this country with no real reparations, financial support of Black organizations/causes/people is a great way to show you actually care and want to see real systemic change in this still very racist country. So, here are some ways and organizations you can donate to!
HOW TO DONATE
There are many ways to Donate to the Black community this February. First, if you know a Black person who may need financial support, feel free to send them some money even if it’s only $5. Any financial support always makes anybody’s day. However, don’t simply say it’s for Black History Month. Instead, make sure to recognize that person’s history and the challenges they currently face in modern America as a Black person. Provide them with reparations for any pain or struggle they or their ancestors have faced. If instead, (or in addition) you want to donate to somebody who may have a higher financial need, you can donate to a Black person’s Gofundme or donate to them personally. You can also support your favorite Black creators by donating to them as well. Additionally, you can scout out charities or organizations that align with your morals and support a cause you’re particularly passionate about. It doesn’t matter how you do it but financial support really means a lot in a capitalist country systemically built against Black people’s progression.
WHERE TO DONATE
Okay, so now you know how to donate but where are some places you can donate? Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are some places you may consider donating to during Black History Month. However, please always remember to do your personal research before donating to ensure you are supporting causes that align with your beliefs!
