Feb 21

Feb 21 NOT Just For February: Black History is OUR History

“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

Ava DuVernay

"Black History Month shouldn’t be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history, or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington, or from some of our sports heroes, It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. It’s a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go."

Barack Obama

So, why do we celebrate Black History Month?

Find the whole story here on this link!

In short, Carter G. Woodson wanted to “make black history a field of serious study and provide the public with thoughtful celebrations.”

Why is it in February?

“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.”

Daryl Michael Scott

As I write this, there is only one more week of February. And I know so many wonderful educators have worked hard to celebrate the lives of so many inspiring Black Americans.

But let's not put that bin of “Black History Month” books away. Or even better, what if we lose the bin and put them where they belong?

Integrate them into your other collections of poetry, sports heroes, scientists, presidents and so on. You will still use your favorites during February, or find new people and literature each year, but the books will be where they belong. They will be part of your classroom library, not part of a separate “Black History Library.”

What do you think? Do you agree? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and I’d also love to hear how you celebrate Black History Monthwith your students.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite books that I use during Black History Month and all year long

Click on the titles to find out more about each one. Hopefully you’ll find a new favorite for your own library.