2008 Woodie Awards
Month of February recognizes African-American accomplishments
Kimberly Goins ; The Crimson White (U. Alabama)
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: Opinion
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(U-WIRE) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Often, when one mentions Black History Month, many great African-American leaders come to mind, such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. For one month, students at elementary, middle and high schools write essays on black historical figures and learn about black history.
February is the only time black history is promoted; yet, many people object to its designation as Black History Month. Some people find Black History Month to be discriminatory to people who are not African-American. This, of course, is quite ridiculous because Black History Month benefits all people, not just blacks.
Black History Month allows us to remember important events and people of the past who played a role in shaping our present and our future. Black History Month is beneficial to people of all races, nationalities and backgrounds because it celebrates great African-American figures who touched the lives of all citizens of the United States.
I often sit back and marvel at the great accomplishments of African-Americans. Despite the obstacles that African-Americans have faced, their accomplishments are innumerable. I am filled with a sense of awe as I watch documentaries about the Montgomery bus boycott, Brown v. Board of Education or the Freedom Rides.
I am inspired as I read about the efforts of African-Americans and whites in the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement was significant because it was not just about African-Americans. The civil rights movement involved people of all races coming together because they recognized the importance and necessity of African-Americans attaining all the rights of citizenship.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins and freedom rides were all public manifestations of protest. The civil rights movement was multifaceted, however, and changes were wrought because civil rights leaders had the intelligence and the sophistication to recognize the importance of working within the system as well in order to promote change.
February is the only time black history is promoted; yet, many people object to its designation as Black History Month. Some people find Black History Month to be discriminatory to people who are not African-American. This, of course, is quite ridiculous because Black History Month benefits all people, not just blacks.
Black History Month allows us to remember important events and people of the past who played a role in shaping our present and our future. Black History Month is beneficial to people of all races, nationalities and backgrounds because it celebrates great African-American figures who touched the lives of all citizens of the United States.
I often sit back and marvel at the great accomplishments of African-Americans. Despite the obstacles that African-Americans have faced, their accomplishments are innumerable. I am filled with a sense of awe as I watch documentaries about the Montgomery bus boycott, Brown v. Board of Education or the Freedom Rides.
I am inspired as I read about the efforts of African-Americans and whites in the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement was significant because it was not just about African-Americans. The civil rights movement involved people of all races coming together because they recognized the importance and necessity of African-Americans attaining all the rights of citizenship.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins and freedom rides were all public manifestations of protest. The civil rights movement was multifaceted, however, and changes were wrought because civil rights leaders had the intelligence and the sophistication to recognize the importance of working within the system as well in order to promote change.