By Jodi-Ann Morris
The year was 1926. Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves. Within him sparked the idea of “Negro History Week.” After fifty
"I'm proud to be Black...."
years of celebrating this dynamic culture, in 1976 “Negro History Week” evolved and blossomed into Black History Month. Eighty years after “Negro History Week” sprouted into being, this flower of cultural appreciation has continued to grow into a worldwide celebration. Every February, the beauty, stains, blood and tears that have held and strengthen the African culture in America and other countries are revisited and symbolically honored.
Weeds in the garden
However, as the months and years after the Civil Rights era fade into the yellowing pages of history, the importance of this month has become less valuable to some members of this present generation. The echoes of personal upliftment and the drive to “emancipate yourself from mental slavery” (Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley) have fallen on deaf ears for some youths of my generation.
"De-weeding"
They are quicker to point and blame the system for their downfall than tapping into their own reservoir of strength and knowledge. Though, to some extent, one understands that some of the bitter images of history that have diffused into the reality of their world is the base for their sentiment.
Blooms of Hope
Then again, with much hope, all is not lost for those whose blood is innately crossed and tied with the African ancestry. That hope of creating more strength by building a more esteemed culture seems to have crossed the threshold. There is a growing amount of young persons who are starting to become more aware and appreciative of their history. The works of men and women like Woodson, Martin Luther King and Angela Davis have charmed the spirit and hopefulness within them. That seed of desire to blame others and ignore their talents have dried up and has been replaced by a beautiful bloom of self-reliance and courage.
United by blood
All text and photographs by Jodi-Ann Morris.
