Tag: ASALH

Posted in Black Joy, Celebration, Holiday Celebration!!

Black History Month 2024

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Not only is today the start of a new month but also the beginning of Black History Month!! First established as Negro History Week in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, Woodson created this holiday to not “dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis.” I also take this to mean that Black History Month while celebrated in February can and should be celebrated all year round.

As part of the celebration, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) establishes yearly themes that “reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.” This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Arts.”

African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.

ASALH-Black History Themes

This year’s theme really hits home for me as a scholar whose work encompasses the arts from a comic book and pop culture standpoint. I look forward to not only showcasing my work but others in the arts as well!

To jumpstart the day, see the following Black History facts:

  • In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first Black American poet to publish a book of verse.
  • In 1878, Marie Selika Williams was the first Black musician to sing at the White House.
  • In 1948, Gordon Parks was hired as the first Black staff photographer at Life magazine.

As you join in on this year’s celebration, check out these resources and tools that will provide additional insight into this cultural celebration:

Posted in Celebration, Holiday Celebration!!

Happy Black History Month!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Today marks the first day of Black History Month 2023!!

This year’s theme as designed by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is “Black Resistance”! Oh how appropriate!! As noted on the ASALH website:

African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction. The 1950s and 1970s in the United States was defined by actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walk outs, strikes by Black people and white allies in the fight for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society from employment to education to housing. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Systematic oppression has sought to negate much of the dreams of our griots, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and our freedom fighters, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Septima Clark, and Fannie Lou Hamer fought to realize. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives, and for autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through armed resistance, voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, literature, sports, media, and legislation/politics. Black led institutions and affiliations have lobbied, litigated, legislated, protested, and achieved success.

And to get your month started check out these few facts about the annual celebration of Black History Month!!

  • Black History Month recognizes All African American Experiences!!
  • Check out this video of the man behind this annual celebration, Carter G. Woodson:
  • Black History Month became nationally recognized officially in 1976
  • The United States and Canada celebrate Black history in February, while the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands honor it during the month of October. 
  • Before it was established as a month long celebration, Black History Month Began as Negro History Week!
Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels.com