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Our View: The history of black history
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Opinion
In 1619, a Dutch ship brought the nation's first 20 slaves to the shores of the British colony in Jamestown, Virginia.
In June 1905, a group of activists organized by Black educator W.E.B. De Bois protested racial segregation at Niagra Falls and ultimately sparked the decades long Civil Rights Movement.
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated "Negro History Week" during the second week in February. Celebration of the African American history was then extended to the entire month of February in 1976, the year of America's bicentennial.
In the 1920's there was an explosion of African American art, literature and music --known as the Harlem Renaissance -- when musician Louis Armstrong, composer Duke Ellington and writer Claude McKay carved their names into the American memory.
In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with a nation his dream of equality and an end to segregation --Â a passion epitomized by the Civil Rights Movement and legitimized by the Civil Rights Act later signed by President Lyndon Johnson with no less than 75 pens.
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm became the first major party candidate and the first female presidential candidate in the U.S.
In 1989, Colin Powell was elected as the Secretary of State Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and became the first African American to hold the position.
And on Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama changed the course of history when he became the first black president of the United States.
CSU: Black History Month started Tuesday and we encourage you to take a minute, take an hour; take a day to appreciate a history that has shaped the course of the nation forever more.
In June 1905, a group of activists organized by Black educator W.E.B. De Bois protested racial segregation at Niagra Falls and ultimately sparked the decades long Civil Rights Movement.
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated "Negro History Week" during the second week in February. Celebration of the African American history was then extended to the entire month of February in 1976, the year of America's bicentennial.
In the 1920's there was an explosion of African American art, literature and music --known as the Harlem Renaissance -- when musician Louis Armstrong, composer Duke Ellington and writer Claude McKay carved their names into the American memory.
In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with a nation his dream of equality and an end to segregation --Â a passion epitomized by the Civil Rights Movement and legitimized by the Civil Rights Act later signed by President Lyndon Johnson with no less than 75 pens.
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm became the first major party candidate and the first female presidential candidate in the U.S.
In 1989, Colin Powell was elected as the Secretary of State Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and became the first African American to hold the position.
And on Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama changed the course of history when he became the first black president of the United States.
CSU: Black History Month started Tuesday and we encourage you to take a minute, take an hour; take a day to appreciate a history that has shaped the course of the nation forever more.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
jimmy
posted 2/06/09 @ 9:41 AM MST
Fredrick Douglas? Abraham Lincoln? Chief Justice Earl Warren? Rosa Parks? Robert Williams? Thurgood Marshall? Harriet Beacher Stowe?
My View..... you left out some of the most important people to remember during Black History Month. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 2/06/09 @ 5:57 PM MST
Along with the myriad glaring omissions in this article as outlined by Jimmy, above, a correction regarding Colin Powell is in order.
Colin Powell has never been "elected" to anything, although I, along with millions of others, would have voted for him if he had ever run for President. (Continued…)
Peace Love
posted 2/08/09 @ 3:20 PM MST
Again the ignorance of toady's "journalism of the dead" raises it's just plain stupid face from its dope induced coma.
The most powerful black man in our nation prior to the lection of Obama isn't even mentioned. (Continued…)
Peace Love
posted 2/08/09 @ 3:50 PM MST
I almost forgot something.
I understand that Black History Month started Tuesday.
Could anyone tell me when White History Month begins?
Or is it that the halls and classrooms of CSU is still so permeated with racist bigots that only persons of a specific color are allowed to celebrate their history?
It's time to stop this blatant racist and bigoted double standard that thrives in the minds and actions of administration, teachers and students of CSU. (Continued…)
Peace Love
posted 2/10/09 @ 7:25 AM MST
Tyler,
Stop projecting your intolerant, racist, and bigoted character onto others.
And please tell us again why there should not be a White History Month. (Continued…)
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