Carter G. Woodson, an American historian, author, journalist, and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History couldn’t have known how significantly opinions about Black History Month would change when he came up with the concept of Negro History Week nearly a century ago in 1926. Any notion that dramatic events of the early 21st Century would alter the way blacks think about their struggle for equality and place in United Stated history was decades away.
Revisiting the month set aside to commemorate the contributions of blacks in the United States will require more than a simple tweak. The revision that is taking shape will replace the African American history as chronicled by mostly white historians, replacing it with the real story of blacks in the U.S., their achievements, and struggles.
Neo-human rights groups are shifting from the sacred turn-the-other-cheek non-violent approach of the 1960s and using tactics once whispered at the fringes. The new stratagem stresses the much-needed makeover to illustrate how differently present-day black activists view race and the fight for equality compared to black baby boomers who came of age during the civil rights movement.
It’s a compelling juxtaposition comparing adherence to a nonviolent ideology and 21st Century activists who straightforwardly demand a retelling of black history.
The new Black History Month might incorporate an emerging belief among multi-generational blacks that the 1960s civil rights strategy failed because it didn’t go far enough. Some think that the reemergence of a new black power movement that demands equal treatment under the law, reform of the law enforcement community, and an acknowledgment by the government of the injustices perpetrated against blacks throughout U.S. history is essential.
Attempts to update Black History Month will amplify scrutiny on decades-ago civil rights efforts and likely increase the gulf between modern-day activists and black baby boomers active during Dr. Martin Luther King’s movement.
Those witnessing the erosion of civil rights advances and attempts to roll back voting rights say that the nonviolent civil rights movement fell short in its achievements, alliances, and pacts. They dismiss the gains as transient and kowtowing to the white power structure.
Contemporary human rights activists have taken to the teachings of Malcolm X and don’t rule out Malcolm’s no fear or intimidation aphorism, “by any means necessary.” Some, reminding us that even Dr. Martin Luther King recognized that the impetus for social unrest is frustration, and said, “A riot is the language of the unheard…”
As resistance on several fronts mounts to amend the black history and counter the myths perpetuated about blacks, critical race theory (CRT) is drawing attention to the inaccuracies, and injustices perpetrated against blacks.
More than a minor adjustment is needed for Black History Month to accurately represent the contribution of Blacks and their struggle as Americans. For those traditionally celebrating Black History Month, the last thing they should be is ostracized. However, until the contributions of those who espoused conflicting views while contributing significantly to the advancement of the black race are recognized, individuals such as Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis, and Frederick A. Hampton, Sr., Black History Month will represent a white-washed version told by others.
Anthony Stanford, who was named the 2014 Outstanding African-American of the Year by the Aurora African-American Heritage Advisory Board, is a columnist and author of the book, “Homophobia in the Black Church: How Faith, Politics and Fear Divide the Black Community.”