100 Years of Black History: From Erasure to the Power of Black Film
This February marks the 100th year that, as a country, we have given Black Americans federal recognition and have been celebrating their accomplishments, struggles, and stories . In 1926, Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week to address the almost total absence of Black people in U.S. history books . It was placed in February to honor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Black History Month has evolved significantly since 1926 ; in 1976, it was officially recognized by the federal government and became a month-long cultural observance. In the past, there was more of an emphasis on significant cultural figures, ministers, scholars, abolitionists, and intellectuals, whereas now the focus has shifted to encompass all Black people and tries to encapsulate experiences from all paths. Here are a few examples of stories that were once ignored and are now spotlighted: enslaved people, laborers, Black women, queer and trans leaders, artists, athletes, and activists. Black ...