What Black History Month Means to Me
By Henry E. Price (12 Years Old)
In my opinion, it is imperative that we look back at our past as African Americans. Many would be surprised at how much we can learn from our past. I personally see Black History Month as a celebration of the great struggle for equal rights as well as Black excellence.
The idea for Black History Month was originally Negro History Week. Dr.Carter G. Woodson shared this idea with his close friends and it eventually started to gain support. He once said, “History shows it doesn’t matter who is in power. Those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others will never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning”. This personally inspires me to share good ideas that I have with my close friends. This means that I could have an impact on my community just like Carter G. Woodson. If we stand together we can truly accomplish anything we put our minds to.
Booker T. Washington is another great civil rights leader who is one of my all time favorite people to talk about. He inspired me to always strive for excellence at school. He founded the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. He believed the way to equality was through education. That to me is something that always inspired me to always do my best and represent my family well. He went to college right here in Virginia at Hampton University! My family and I visited Hampton University and even took a picture at the Emancipation Oak. We also visited the Holly Knoll in Gloucester, Virginia. That was where Booker T. Washington’s successor Dr. Robert Moton lived. Excellence through education is also a big part of what Black History Month means to me.
Black History Month also reminds me to celebrate creativity and leadership. I celebrate creativity through learning to play soul music on my saxophone. I love to learn about blues and jazz musicians and how they grew as people by playing music. Additionally, I celebrate leadership by volunteering as the chaplains aid in my Boy Scout troop. Moreover, I celebrate leadership by helping to fill various roles in my church. In conclusion, in my opinion Black History Month is a celebration of Black excellence, power, knowledge, and culture.
