| Black History Month: Not just History for History | | | | that the prevailing attitude of Whites towards Blacks |
| Sakeby Anthony Stewart | | | | and Blacks toward themselves would not allow a |
| Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Educator, Entrepreneur, Author | | | | complete overhaul of the educational system to reflect |
| and Activist, created "Negro History Week" (now | | | | the above, He chose to create a period of a week, for |
| known as Black History Month) for the purpose instilling | | | | that infusion. This week was not just to study history |
| in Blacks a true value of self based in a real and | | | | but to study how daily Black Life could be used to |
| accurate study of Black Life and History. He believe | | | | better understand the educational concepts being |
| that if Black students were raised up and educated in | | | | taught in the classrooms. It would be used to teach |
| an environment that taught the significant Black | | | | math and science based on Black life in the field, with |
| contributions to the civilized world, (in the areas of | | | | local fruit carts, on railroads and plants. It would be |
| economics, politics, government, science, mathematics | | | | used to teach from within ones' own environment. |
| as well as the Arts),that it would not only create in | | | | Dr. Carter G. Woodson's own life was based in two |
| them a love for self and kind, but that it would also | | | | forms of education. The one which was given him by |
| make them better citizens. | | | | the finest institutions in America and France, and the |
| Dr. Woodson in "The Mis-Education of the Negro" | | | | one which he gave himself through studying Black Life |
| showed that Blacks were not educated to be citizens, | | | | and history during his travels. From the latter, he found |
| they were mis-educated to be tools of service to his | | | | a wealth of information and resources from which he |
| once slave master. Therefore the Black perspective | | | | drew to write articles and publications. He would |
| of Government and Politics in general was never | | | | eventually become known as the "Father of Black |
| based on a proper perspective of either. You can't | | | | History" in America. This was not a title he gave |
| truly demand that which you don't believe you are | | | | himself. He knew well and had studied the Works of |
| entitled to. If Blacks however, had an education that | | | | W.E.B. DuBois and Drusilla D. Houston, who had written |
| taught them of the great kingdoms and forms of | | | | and published extensively on Black History. It was Dr. |
| government created by Blacks on which this modern | | | | Woodson though, who would take their research and |
| government is based, then the proper motivation to | | | | his own and transform it into a national movement of |
| engage politics could exist. Then, the demand for | | | | study within the Black communities. Dr. Woodson kept |
| proper representation could be pursued from a | | | | at the forefront of his life, "…history as a |
| historical as well as legal basis. | | | | constructive force FOR THE DEVELOPMENT of |
| According to Dr. Woodson, Black's needed a | | | | Black people…" not just history for history sake. |
| concentrated infusion of information based in Black | | | | It is in that spirit we should engage "Black History |
| History in America and most certainly abroad. Knowing | | | | Month" and engage life. |