Every February, the United States of America celebrates Black History Month by promoting black voices and U.S. history. While recognizing the often-overlooked stories of Black individuals, this is a time to reflect on the past and present struggles for racial equality and to continue inspiring progress toward justice.
For instance, historian Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” started what became Black History Month. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926 during the second week of February to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Later on, the week expanded to Black History Month when President Gerald Ford officially recognized it in 1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial celebrations.
Some other key figures that are highlighted during this time include Harriet Tubman, known as the leader of the Underground Railroad, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the Civil Rights movement, Rosa Parks, icon for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Maya Angelou, celebrated poet and activist and Barack Obama, first black president of the United States.
Doane University has long celebrated Black History Month on campus. Diversity Equity and Inclusion Specialist Wendy Huntsmann speaks about her upbringing as a black woman here in the U.S.
“So I’m originally not from Nebraska,” Huntsmann said. “I’m originally from Long Beach, California. So, from California, coming to Nebraska, it’s totally different. It’s less diversity here than what I’m used to back home.”
Learning to live in all-white and all-black societies, she felt she was living in “two different worlds” since she experienced both societal and cultural behaviors at the same time.
“My parents always instilled in me what it is to be proud to be black,” Huntsmann said. “And so back in the day, I think it was interesting the way I’ve seen Black History Month metamorphosize, because when I was younger, it was important, but it was like one of those importance that not everybody celebrated, like only mostly the black community really celebrate Black History Month.”
Throughout her life, Huntsmann has seen U.S. society change, where people really started to become more aware of racism and things of that nature.
“Like when folks say I don’t see color, that means you don’t see me. You don’t see me as a black person. I’m not saying that you’re racist. I’m just saying you don’t see me as a black woman and so and that’s like, you don’t understand the struggles and strive that my ancestors and people have,” Huntsmann said. “Like slavery was not something that people wanted to do. It was something that was forced upon them. And so I think it is important that it continues. And I believe it is important because my family has always told me to be proud to be black and not be ashamed of being black.”
