In honor of black history month, this post will be about some major black history highlights, some little known facts and of course my opinion on black history month. But first I would like to share this video by Smokey Robinson: I Love Being Black: Black American

Being a black person, I've always felt that there shouldn't have to be a black history month, but I never knew how strongly I felt about it until I started writing this post. Now, don't get your undies in a bunch, what I mean by that is that black history isn't something that should be relegated to just one month out of a year. Black history is something that should be discussed on a regular basis as is any history. There should not have to be a month set aside to bring out information, old and new, that has been discussed since the induction of black history month in the U.S. in 1976. The information brought forth during this month is information that is relevant no matter what month of the year it is. Now, this is just my personal opinion, some agree and some don't. I understand that this was brought about out of necessity in the 1920's with the formation of Negro History Week, as way to keep black history alive and celebrate those who have paved the way with blood, sweat and tears to bring about a change. But in this day in time I feel that it should not be necessary because we as people, not just black people, should have the information/discussions that we bring forth every year during black history month throughout the entire year. Maybe it is still necessary because we, as human beings, still have a lot of growing and maturing to do and if not for this month this information wouldn't be discussed but it is my sincere hope that one day it won't be necessary and American Black history will be just that, American history. What can I say, I love being black and its something that should be celebrated throughout the entire year not just one month. So let's have a Black history year, for that matter let's have a White history, Indian history, Hispanic history year, etc. Sorry if I offended anyone, that's not my intention. I could continue my rant but I think that's enough for one post lol.

So, being that it is Black History Month and it has been ingrained in my head by society that this is the time to share black people's accomplishments, I'll do just that. This list of facts was obtained from history.com.

Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

On February 12, 2009, the NAACP marked its 100th anniversary. Spurred by growing racial violence in the early twentieth century, and particularly by race riots in Springfield Illinois in 1908, a group of African American leaders joined together to form a new permanent civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). February 12, 1909 was chosen because it was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Jack Johnson became the first African-American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title in 1908. He held on to the belt until 1915.

John Mercer Langston was the first black man to become a lawyer in Ohio when he passed the Bar in 1854. When he was elected to the post of Town Clerk for Brownhelm, Ohio in 1855 Langston became one of the first African Americans ever elected to public office in America. John Mercer Langston was also the great-uncle of Langston Hughes, famed poet of the Harlem Renaissance.

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American ever appointed to the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and served on the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1991.

George Washington Carver developed 300 derivative products from peanuts among them cheese, milk, coffee, flour, ink, dyes, plastics, wood stains, soap, linoleum, medicinal oils and cosmetics.

Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American ever elected to the United States Senate. He represented the state of Mississippi from February 1870 to March 1871.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives. She was elected in 1968 and represented the state of New York. She broke ground again four years later in 1972 when she was the first major party African-American candidate and the first female candidate for president of the United States.

The black population of the United States in 1870 was 4.8 million; in 2007, the number of black residents of the United States, including those of more than one race, was 40.7 million.

In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American performer to win an Academy Award (the film industry`s highest honor) for her portrayal of a loyal slave governess in Gone With the Wind.

In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to go into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavor. During her 8-day mission she worked with U.S. and Japanese researchers, and was a co-investigator on a bone cell experiment.

This is by no means a complete compilation of facts, just a mere tip of the iceberg, so to speak. So my question to you is, "Should there still be a Black History month?" Yes, No, Maybe? and Why? I know in my rant above I said we shouldn't have to have a Black History month, but I feel it is still somewhat relevant. If we don't have a Black History Month will this information be lost? Will our youth of today not be exposed to these facts or will there be more discussion on black history throughout the entire year? I don't know. I'm torn. I want black history to be something that is up for discussion/celebration at any point during the year but I not ashamed to admit that I fear if there isn't a Black History Month our struggles and triumphs won't be made known to the youth of today. Its a lot to consider.

*Those who comment please be respectful of all opinions, everyone is entitled to there own opinion whether you agree or not. Express yourself but please be respectful. :-)

Here are a just a couple opinions on the subject:

(Edward Bowser)Do we still need Black History Month? Unquestionably. It just needs a facelift.

Morgan Freeman says the concept of a month dedicated to black history is "ridiculous."

"You're going to relegate my history to a month?" the 68-year-old actor says in an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes". "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

So? What do you think?

Happy Reading,

Andrea