By Trina-Reney Bryant
First a week and now a month. The celebration of black history today is largely due to the determination of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the son of former slaves.
Nearly a century ago, a young Harvard graduate dropped out of “mainstream” academia disturbed, but determined. Troubled by the fact that history books failed to discuss the contributions of African Americans, Dr. Woodson set out on a journey. Devoting his life to the study of the African experience in America and Africa and other nations throughout the world, Woodson established the Association of the study of Afro-American Life and History.
In 1926, Woodson, with the help of other scholars, launched the Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to a history long ignored. By 1976, what was once Negro Week, expanded to Black History Month.
During the month of February, 78 years after Woodson’s death, Northeastern, along with universities across the nation remember Dr. Woodson and his mission.
Kimberly Washington, president of the NU NAACP chapter said the celebration of Black History Month is essential to Northeastern and also to the world. She said in honoring people of African decent and acknowledging their history and contribution to America and the world, we are able to better equip ourselves for the future.
“It is important to celebrate Black History Month because through learning and appreciating history, one is able to be more educated on how not to make the same mistakes of the past and how to enhance the opportunities of the future,” Washington said.
This year, members of the Northeastern University community are offering a series of events for students to take part in during Black History Month. Every Monday during the month of February, the NU NAACP chapter will show movies, including “Higher Learning,” “Brown Sugar,” “Rosewood” and “Antwoine Fisher.” Each showing starts at 6:45 p.m. in 10 Behrakis Health Science Center. The first 15 people get free popcorn.
There is also a trip to the Great Black Wax Museum in Baltimore, Md and Holocaust Museum in
