When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis. Over the years, the themes reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.
This year's theme is "Black Resistance." African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction. The 1950s and 1970s in the United States was defined by actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walk outs, strikes by Black people and white allies in the fight for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society from employment to education to housing.
Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Systematic oppression has sought to negate much of the dreams of griots, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and our freedom fighters, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Septima Clark, and Fannie Lou Hamer fought to realize. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives, and for autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through armed resistance, voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, literature, sports, media, and legislation/politics. Black led institutions and affiliations have lobbied, litigated, legislated, protested, and achieved success.
This Week in Black History
“Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history
and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.” – Maya Angelou
February 9
- Paul Laurence Dunbar, first poet to use Black dialect in his verse, died (1872-1906)
- Leroy “Satchel” Paige elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1971
February 10
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference founded, 1957
- Andrew Brimmer becomes the first Black person to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, 1966
- Leontyne Price, world renowned soprano, born 1927
February 11
- Nelson Mandela, leader of movement for democracy in South Africa, released from prison after 27 years, 1990
- Clifford Alexander, Jr. first Black US Secretary of State, confirmed 1977
February 12
- Lincoln’s birthday
- NAACP founded after riot in Springfield, IL, 1909
February 13
- First Black pro Basketball team, “The Renaissance,” organized 1923