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Black History Month, what is it?

Black History M onth was originally "N egro History W eek," and was created in 1926 by C arter G . W oodson, a noted African American
historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a nationally recognized m onth in 1976, and is in February because both Fredrick
Douglass (African American social reform er) and Abraham Lincoln w ere born in February. Black H istory M onth is a celebration o f all
things black. O u r culture, our music, and m ost im portantly our people. Every year Black History M onth has a them e. This year s them e
is the miseducation o f black people.

What does Black History Month mean to me?

I, Nova Lauren Brown, am a black girl living in America. I live in a country w here, for years, people w h o looked like me w e re no t
appreciated and the remarkable things tha t they did w e n t unnoticed and unappreciated. For years, black people w e re no t recognized
no m atter w hat they did. W hile w e should acknow ledge the history o f black people every day o f the year, Black H istory M onth gives
us the recognition that w e more than deserve. I rem em ber my grandm other telling me to never fo rg e t m y history, and never take for
granted w h at I have. She w ill always be one o f my heroes. M y grandm other to ld me no t to ever be ashamed or have people shame
me for the color o f my skin. She taught me to be a proud and beautiful black girl. So w h a t is Black history month to me? It's the
appreciation, no t oppression, o f me and people w h o look like me. The appreciation o f the people, w h o in their lifetime, never g o t
w hat they deserved. Black slaves built this country and civil rights leaders shaped it, w e must never fo rg e t that. The representation o f
black people in America is essential, and Black H istory M onth gives us a little m ore o f that.

Thank you and Happy Black H istory M onth.

Nova Brown, 7th grader, invited internationally acclaimed African dance choreographer, performer, and fitness professional Kukuwa to the Junior
High on Friday, March 31 st as an extended celebration o f Black History. Students performed traditional initiation dances from East and Central
Africa, and learned about the cultural and linguistic diversity on the continent o f Africa. Kukuwa, also an adjunct professor, enlightened students on
v/ays traditional rhythms and movements in African dance form the foundation o f popular music that we listen and dance to today.

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