By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
There are some events that you can’t relegate to a day, week or month. During these times, almost everything has a designation. Some simply last longer than others do.
Over my life cycle, I have had my share of reflections. Some celebrations have remained in our America over the years.
Black History Month has gone through a few changes as far as the name goes. It began as Negro History Week in 1926. Carter G. Woodson, a Black historian started it.
It was Negro History Week when I was a young boy going to elementary school in Winston-Salem NC. Local Black men and women of prominence would come to our school to encourage us to do our best each day.
Negro History Week became Black History Month in 1976. President Gerald Ford recognized it and urged citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected”.
Whether it was a week or in its current state of a month, it is not enough. I believe that it is impossible to put in 28 days the contributions of African Americans.
Our successes span the spectrum of what this world is. We have achieved excellence in all fields of endeavor. The names of inventors, business people, lawyers, educators, doctors, musicians, those in the space industry and athletes are endless.
For example, when we are driving, we think of Garrett Morgan who developed the three-position traffic signal. Another example of greatness is Paul Robeson who was an activist, scholar and singer.
Mary McLeod Bethune was the founder of Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. My mother-in-Law, Mrs. Gertrude Leufroy met her and took a picture with her. How about Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm who was the first African American to run for the office of president of the United States of America.
America can’t keep us out of the spotlight of achievements and accolades. We are an important part of the past, present and future of this country.
The bells of success must ring loudly for Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to become a United States Supreme Court Justice. We must hold high the names of Mary Jackson, a mathematics teacher who became NASA’s first Black female engineer and Mae Jamison, the first black woman to become an astronaut.
Determination and duty to country were characteristics of Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. who was a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. In 1975, he became the first African American to reach the rank of four-star general in the United States Armed Forces. Colin L. Powell was an Army officer and diplomat. He became the first African American to become secretary of state.
Teachers of both races must expose all their students to the glorious past of Black people. If you don’t, you deny students the opportunity to get to know each other better. If you teach about George Washington, then you must also teach about Crispus Attucks. If you teach about Abraham Lincoln, then you must also teach about Alexander Thomas Augusta.
Education is a powerful tool when used to eradicate ignorance and apathy. If you are in the twilight of your life like many of us, you are thankful to the people who told us about us. We were told about Madame C.J. Walker and her pioneering efforts in the haircare industry. They told us about Matthew Henson who was the first Black man to reach the North Pole.
If you live in a community with an African American newspaper, then make sure you support them by reading their content and taking out a subscription. If you don’t, go online and order a subscription.
Freedom’s Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper in America. It started in 1827 and was founded by John Brown Russwurm and Samuel E. Cornish.Now there are more than 200 African American owned community newspapers according to the NNPA (National Newspaper Publishers Association). Black history is around us every day. Embrace it and pass it on to the next generation.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a long-time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
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