By: Brennan Robinson, Posted March 2, 2017 The month of February is commemorated as Black History Month. Black History Month was first known as “Negro History week”, created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American historian. February was chosen to coincide with birthdays of Abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. February 12, 1909 was chosen because it was the centennial anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
During the early 1900’s, racial riots and violence occurred because of racial conflicts that have aroused. In Springfield, Illinois, 1908, a group of African American leaders came together to create a new permanent civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Since then, conflicts have occurred that have shown the struggle in the African-American community. The issues have also affected rappers and artists such as rapper Kendrick Lamar. His song “Alright” in 2015 was a dedication to the death of Trayvon Martin. Kendrick even performed the song at the 2015 BET awards on top of a police car. This was highlighting the songs purpose as a protest against police brutality. Although protests have taken place against police officers in the African-American community, these problems have been around for centuries. In the early 1600’s, slavery in America began. The first African slaves were brought to the northern colony of Jamestown, Virginia. They were brought over to help aid production of crops and work hard labor. Slavery was abolished by the thirteenth amendment, which was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865. Today we look back at the hardships faced by many and appreciate the change that has come to the United States of America.
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May 2020
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