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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Look at Who Gets Left Out of Black History Month
http://www.alternet.org/culture/look-who-gets-left-out-black-history-monthVicente Guerrero, Afro-Indio 2nd president of Mexico, who abolished slavery in 1829.
Photo Credit: Eduardo Baez
Once again, the month of February is here, marked as Black History Month on calendars in the United States and Canada (October in Great Britan).
Schools, community groups and bloggers will focus attention on the historical contributions of blacks to our culture. When I was growing up it was called "Negro History Week."
Back History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Woodson created the holiday with the hope that it eventually be eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history. Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and interest from progressive whites. Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday.
In 1976, the federal government acknowledged the expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in February of 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month occurred at Kent State in February of 1970. Six years later during the bicentennial, the expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was recognized by the U.S. government.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)This was happening into the '90s. First Chick Webb CD in those days conveyed him to be a white drummer.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)you'll see Frankie and Norma. I only ever met Norma once in passing - in Sweden at a dance camp. I did loads of lessons with Frankie starting 1995 - nicest guy you could ever wish to meet. Sadly Frankie died just before his 95th birthday a couple of years back immediately prior to a huge event for about 2000 dancers in NY which had been arranged to celebrate his birthday.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)what a wonderful thing that must have been -- even to meet norma the one time.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)and Chazz will be here a few miles up the road apiece in 2 weeks time at a whole weekend swing dance event. I'm not going to that though. I did a beginners tap class with him at Fort Worden Port Townsend WA Xmas 1995 - beginners my foot we did a routine to Shuffle Off to Buffalo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chazz_Young brief details only on that link. Chazz was actually brought up by Norma - long story.
Frankie Manning's Funeral Services - Shim Sham led by Chazz Young - 2009-05-02