Episode 135: Reflections on Black History Month Part 1

02/17/23 • 39 min

Brent and Jeff take time to reflect on Black History Month, share what this month means to them and to unpack the history of this month.

Understanding the History:

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Carter Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively. More importantly, he chose them for reasons of tradition. Since Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, the black community, along with other Republicans, had been celebrating the fallen President’s birthday. And since the late 1890s, black communities across the country had been celebrating Douglass’. Well aware of the pre-existing celebrations, Woodson built Negro History Week around traditional days of commemorating the black past.

A Thought to Ponder: Brent and Jeff then play a clip from Morgan Freeman sharing his thoughts on Black History Month and then the guys share their thoughts on this.

Want to continue to conversation? Talk to your friends about what you heard today and join us next week as Brent and Jeff continue their journey through Black History Month.

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02/17/23 • 39 min

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