Black History Month changes perceptions

American history is more than what we read in our history books. There are many untold stories of great Americans who have made this nation into what it is today. 

For the month of February, Black History Month (BHM) will be celebrated across the country as well as at EWU. It is a month to honor often overlooked history and to celebrate a joining of cultures of America.

“This country has never been just one people contributing. Black History Month is about getting around that one-sided approach and to inspire that the fabric of history has many colors,” said Dr. Scott Finnie, associate professor in the Africana education program.

Cater Woodson, an African-American author and journalist, began BHM in the 1920s. It was greatly influenced by the Harlem Renaissance when the black community started to embrace their history. BHM began as Negro History Week when Woodson wanted to compile information to rewrite black history because of the untold stories and distortion  in history books. Negro History Week suggested that blacks did not have enough history present and was a way to educate them to become a more successful people just like their predecessors. 

During the 1960s, black college students started demanding programs to learn about their history and became better educated. This helped to progress BHM, and along with the Civil Rights Movement helped form educational programs such as the Africana education program, eventually leading to the entire month of February being devoted to black history. Active students saw it as important to define who they were as a people and how they contribute to the diversity of the nation. 

BHM is also a way to honor an overshadowed culture by breaking down negative stereotypes. Even though our country has come a long way, there are still problems within the threads because of the many stereotypes associated with black culture.

Blacks want to be recognized as great people who happen to be black, not the other way around. 

“Ethnicity is simply one aspect of a person’s character and does not define who that person is. Blacks should not be viewed as a handicap or a negative aspect. Black History Month is a way to change that and to let blacks to be viewed as equally intelligent people all throughout history,” said Angela Schwendiman, a lecturer in Africana studies.

Not only does the month of February embrace a part of America’s history, but it also creates awareness in which our country can improve upon race relations. It shows the progress we have made and talks about the future we can reach. February offers the American people a time to slow down and to look at the stories of where people of our nation have come from and the history that is present.

“There are stories that have been forgotten because the people who told those stories are gone. Black History Month gives us a chance to rewrite the history books so stories won’t be lost. No knowledge of the past is like a tree without roots,” said Dr. Robert Bartlett, interim director of the Africana education program.

All three professors believe that racism is still present but is kept behind closed doors. They believe that it is a subtle problem because of the human tendency to judge people by groups of association. BHM is a way to constructively break down racism. 

They also believe that BHM seeks to embrace differences within American culture as a means to learn from each other. Differences don’t have to be a threat but a chance to view what the different aspects of the American people have in common.  The view of BHM points to the need of a black perspective to be seen.

BHM seeks to increase education through awareness and increase interaction to take further steps to eradicate racism. 

“Fear and ignorance usually dictate how we interact between each other. Black History Month is the threshold to better educate and create a mutual learning from each other to break down the fear and ignorance,” Finnie said.

BHM is not only about embracing the pasts of black people, but setting an example for the different cultures that make up this country to not let the stories of their past die and to keep each person’s history alive through education and awareness. 

“America is not a melting pot but a stew of different cultures and backgrounds living and thriving together. Black History Month seeks to embrace the differences of America by teaching others how to embrace their history,” Schwendiman said.

EWU will be participating in BHM festivities throughout the month of February with various speakers such as Sandy Williams, V. Anne Smith, Rachel Dolezal and Tracy Ellis-Williams. Other events such as movie nights will also take place during the month. Dates and times for the speakers and events will be posted around campus.

“There are great men and women who have not entered the history books. Until we take the responsibility for writing our own story, we are basically a lion being hunted where the tales will always glorify the hunter. The hunter always writes the story,” Bartlett said.