Black History Month and the Unrecognized

What we now know as Black History Month was once “Negro History Week” in 1926. Carter G. Woodson is credited with the creation of this celebration. As a noted African American historian, scholar, and publisher, he founded a commemoration week which soon turned into a month of remembrance for the African Americans that have had a major impact on our society.

Rosa Parks is famous for trying to fight the oppression by not giving up her seat on the bus for a white man, but did you know she wasn’t the only one? On March 2nd, 1955, Claudette Colvin did the same thing, 9 months prior to Rosa Parks. Colvin had been studying about African American leaders such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.

  “It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn’t get up.” Colvin once said about the day. Many people are unaware of this woman that stood up (or rather sat down) for what she believed in to make a change.

Everyone is familiar with the concept of vaccination, but before vaccines were created, inoculation was a form of preventing diseases from spreading. This medical technique was brought to America by a slave in the 17th century who was brought to Boston as a gift to the church minister. Known as a medical pioneer, Onesimus told the people of Boston, and the technique came in handy when smallpox became a problem. He helped save many people and his work had a great impact on future medical achievements.

The contributions of these individuals helped pave the way for African Americans to be successful in society. Not only posing as the pillars of their generation but as a role model for those who took their guidance on a path towards success. This month is to commemorate all of those who were suppressed and forgotten.