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Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Americans
have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History
Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studiedor even documentedwhen the tradition
originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century
that they gained a respectable presence in the history books.
Blacks Absent from History Books
We owe
the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to
parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age
twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in
his studies that history books largely ignored the black American populationand when blacks did figure into the picture, it
was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time.
Established Journal
of Negro History
Woodson, always one to act on his ambitions, decided to take on the challenge of writing black
Americans into the nation's history. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the
Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915, and a year later founded the widely respected Journal
of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions
of black people throughout American history.
One of the prime goals of ARTSPACE - HEARTLAND is to promote and celebrate cultural diversity. There IS a rift in our community.
It is our belief that by shining a light on the remarkable achievments of African Americans in the Arts we can, even in a
small way, overcome the divide.
Our February exhibit will feature works of aspiring young artists inspired by Bearden,
Lawrence, Douglas and others.
Check back with us on the time and location of our next exhibit celebrating Black History Month
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