Happy Black History Month. I discuss it here.
Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950), a son of former slaves, is known as the “father of Black History.” Woodson was the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life. He promoted the importance of the study and teaching of black history.
He originally proposed a history week. Woodson selected the second week of February. He was taking advantage of the fact that two celebrated figures in black history were born then.
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was on February 12th. Frederick Douglas (former slave, civil rights leader, ambassador to Haiti) was born on February 14th. It later was extended to a month.
President Ford declared a Black History Month to honor our bicentennial (1976). Congress made it official in 1986, passing a Joint resolution to provide for the designation of February 1986 as “National Black (Afro-American) History Month.”
Don't worry you Trumpies! The Trump Administration declared Black History Month for 2025 and you can celebrate it in "appropriate' ways. Don't think that holidays won't be a target of Trump skullduggery.
Just don't do anything "DEI" related! Others understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives can be useful. What is DEI?
DEI programs have been part of workplace diversity efforts to ensure fairer representation for groups seen as historically marginalized, such as African Americans, LGBTQ+ community members, women, disabled people, and other ethnic minorities in the United States.
The efforts aim to remove systemic barriers for groups affected by a legacy of racism, sexism, and xenophobia.
DEI practices include training on combating discrimination, addressing pay inequity along gender or racial lines, and broadening recruitment and access for underrepresented ethnic groups.