Dasia Allen
February marks the 100th year of honoring Black History Month, with this year’s theme being, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” announced by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). First founded by Carter G. Woodson, a famous African American historian and author who saw that achievements made by Black men and women were constantly being erased from history, so he wanted to dedicate a week to remember them. As a result, he founded Negro History Week, which took place during the 2nd week of Feburary. Not only did African Americans already hold celebrations to honor the end of slavery during this week, but it also lined up with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, and well-known abolitionist Frederick Douglass, adding to the significance of the week.
Throughout the years, Nego History Week slowly gained popularity, specifically during the Civil Rights Movement where various groups and students on college campuses’ helped to spread its awareness. It was through this awareness that Negro History Week transformed into Black History Month in the 1960s. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford became the first head of the state to commemorate Black History Month during the nation’s bicentennial. Finally in 1996, President Bill Clinton issued an official proclamation designating February as African American History Month, cementing it as a month-long observance.
Since then, the Black community has made significant strides, from gaining voices in the government with the first Black president and Black women vice president being elected into office, to leading powerful movements such as Black Lives Matter. The Black community has also gained a new holiday in the form Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021 and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Additionally, local towns and communities host celebrations to honor Black history.
The Black Student Association at Merrimack, has hosted events every week through the month of February, from Music Bingo containing decades of music created by Black artists to a Caribbean Dance class. They will be hosting their 2nd annual showcase titled “Essence of Culture: Showcase of the Arts” on Friday March 20th at 5PM in the Rogers Center for the Arts. It will be a great opportunity for the Merrimack community to come together in celebration of cultural diversity and 100 years of Black history.
