Meditation Monday: Black History is American History

Today is the final Monday in February, the month that has become identified as Black History Month. Why was February chosen to lift up the contributions of African Americans to the history and culture of our nation? That answer goes back to 1926 when the Harvard trained historian Carter G. Woodson instituted what was then known as Negro History Week – the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Dr. Woodson was the child of formerly enslaved parents and only the second African American to earn a PhD from Harvard (the first was WEB DuBois). His goal was not to isolate the history of African Americans into a separate category but to integrate that neglected history as an essential part of American history. In his now classic book The Mis-Education of the Negro Woodson wrote, “The people far removed from the physical characteristics of the Caucasians or who do not materially assist them in the domination or exploitation of others were not mentioned except to be belittled or decried.” This was not only true when Dr. Woodson wrote these words during the height of the Jim Crow era of legal segregation, but it continued to be true for how many of us were taught American history. One of the great chapters of American history led mainly by African Americans was the modern civil rights movement. This is not only Amercian history but also Church history featuring a faith based non-violent movement for racial justice that helped to change our nation. The ministry of Cornelius Corps is committed to lifting up African American history in general and the civil rights movement in particular so that we can continue to build on that legacy in the face of ongoing forms of racial injustice today. The best way to celebrate Black History Month is to teach African American history as a foundational part of the history that we all share in this nation and in the Church.