Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month

Black History Month grew from Negro History Week, which was established by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. He chose the month of February because he believed it would also honor the persons important to the American Negro, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Woodson¹s hope was that the contributions of Blacks worldwide would be celebrated, recognized and ultimately included as an integral part of world history. His understanding of the world was that there were significant populations of people of African descent all over the world, that the African Diaspora reached places that some could not imagine, such as Russia, Great Britain and other parts of Europe as well as the Caribbean, South America and North America.

In 1976 Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, expanding the period that encourages people to learn more about the contributions of Blacks and to celebrate those contributions. All over the United States people are learning about the significant role Black people have held in shaping this country.

In the effort to fight the sin of racism, the General Commission on Religion and Race is encouraging churches to observe this special time by learning about the leadership and contributions of Blacks in the church and larger society and sharing this history with others. By increasing our understanding of the Black experience and teaching younger generations this rich and triumphant heritage, we begin to actively overcome the ignorance and bigotry that fuel racism. The Commission offers the following resources in an effort to assist you in planning church activities during this month and throughout the year.

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

  1. Learn about Black History

    2. There are many ways to learn about the history and culture of Black people. Below are a few ideas that your congregation can use to gain greater awareness.

    Invite Speakers - Invite older persons in your church or community to share with your congregation their experiences of being a Black person in the United Methodist Church and in the world. Teachers and Professors can also provide valuable historical information.

    Hold Concerts - Many churches hold choral concerts focusing on African-American Spiritual and Gospel music which is an important element in Black culture and history.

    Research a leader - Have people in your congregation, especially young people, research the life of a prominent Black person and speak about it during Sunday worship service or write about it in the church bulletin.

    Hold Study Groups - Hold a small group discussion about a book on the life of a prominent Black figure in American History or about Black History in general and hold a discussion on it.

    Pulpit / Choir Exchange - Exchange pastors and or choirs between a Black Church and a non-Black church. The black church can relate its experience through song and sermon and the non-black church can honor black history in the same way.

    Join with the community - Your congregation can support and participate in community events celebrating Black History Month. 

  2. Learn about your own culture 

    3. Honoring and understanding the culture of others is more powerful when you can honor and understand your own. Learning about your history helps you appreciate the history of others. Here are a few ways that you can learn about your culture.

    Researching your family tree - A family tree allows you to trace your history through the generations. There are many organizations and resources that can assist you in researching your lineage. Talking with older members of your family and looking through family documents such as birth and death certificates is a good way to start.

    Learn family traditions - Does your family have special traditions and or observances that are unique? If you don¹t know much about your traditions, learn by talking with family members. Document as much as you can about special family traditions.
    Plan a family reunion - Plan a time for all of the family to come together and share. Videotape interviews with older family members, begin a written history of your family, meet members of your family who you don¹t know or didn¹t even realize you were related to.

  3. Focus on Young People

    4. Children and youth groups can observe Black History month by engaging in dialogue about cultural difference. Talking about the portrayal of blacks and other racial ethnic groups on television, racial segregations in schools, and discussing young people¹s views on race are ways to open up dialogue and create greater awareness about cultural difference.

  4. Planning a Church Service 

    5. The General Board of Discipleship has many resources to help congregations plan services during Black History Month:

  5. Black History Resources

    6. Books on African-American history and life include:

    Michael W. Williams (ed.), The African American Encyclopedia, 6 vol. (1993), and a supplement ed. by Kibibi Voloria Mack, 2 vol. (1997),

    African Americans: Voices of Triumph, 3 vol. (1993-94), compiled by the editors of Time-Life Books;

    Charles M. Christian and Sari J. Bennett, Black Saga: The African American Experience (1995);

    Richard Newman and Marcia Sawyer, Everybody Say Freedom: Everything You Need to Know About African-American History (1996),

    Jeffrey C. Stewart, 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About African-American History (1996);

    Jack Salzman, David Lionel Smith, and Cornel West (eds.), Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, 5 vol. (1996),

    L. Mpho Mabunda (ed.), The African American Almanac, 7th ed. (1997),

    Alton Hornsby, Jr., Chronology of African-American History: Significant Events and People from 1619 to the Present (1991);

    Tom Cowan and Jack Maguire, Timelines of African-American History: 500 Years of Black Achievement (1994);

    Sharon Harley, The Timetables of African-American History: A Chronology of the Most Important People and Events in African-American History(1995).

    Jessie Carney Smith, Casper L. Jordan, and Robert L. Johns (eds.), Black Firsts: 2,000 Years of Extraordinary Achievement (1994),

    Jay P. Pederson and Jessie Carney Smith (eds.), African American Breakthroughs: 500 Years of Black Firsts (1995).

    Denise M. Glover, Voices of the Spirit: Sources for Interpreting the African American Experience (1995),

    Books for Young People

    The Middle Passage: White Ships, Black Cargo
    An account of the brutal trip made by slaves from Africa to the Americas. Young Adult (Ages 12 and up).

    The Sweet and Sour Animal Book
    Twenty six poems by Langston Hughes give children lessons on the alphabet and the animal kingdom. Ages 4-8, 48 pages.

    Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin' Cowboy
    A true story about the most famous black rodeo performer. Ages 4-8.

    Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
    Athlete Wilma Rudolph overcomes polio to win three gold medals at the Olympics. Ages 9-12, 40 pages.

    John Henry
    The story of how folk hero John Henry and his sledgehammer raced a steam drill through a mountain. Ages 4-8.

    Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Justice Thurgood Marshall Journalist Carl Rowan gives a fascinating account of his 40 year friendship with the first black Supreme Court Justice. Anyone who is interested in black history must read this book. Young adult.

    Cassie's Colorful Day, by Faith Ringgold
    Recommended Ages: 0-4
    Join Cassie on a colorful day with her dad. Young children will follow Cassie as she dresses up in her yellow-and-red polka dot dress, purple shoes, and green pocketbook, then heads to the ice cream parlor for her favorite treat--a pink strawberry sundae!

    Counting to Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold
    Recommended Ages: 0-4
    Your kids will count from 1 to 10 all the good things that Cassie and her family take to the rooftop for their mouth-watering picnic.

    Something Beautiful, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
    Recommended Ages: 5-8
    This is the inspiring story of a young girl's search for beauty in her violence-torn neighborhood. The illustrations and story are both beautiful and realistic.

    Kidnapped Prince; The Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano
    Recommended Ages: 10-13
    This is a gripping tale of a young African boy's odyssey of betrayal, cruelty, and courage.

    Night John, by Gary Paulsen
    Recommended Ages: 12 and up
    After he escaped to freedom in the north, Nightjohn returns to slavery to teach other enslaved people how to read. And 12-year-old Sarny is willing to risk mutilation and death for precious knowledge.

  6. Web sites to visit