Woodson eventually founded Negro History Week--which later evolved as African American History Month. He would also found The Journal of Negro History and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. As a youngster, he came from a large, poor family who could not afford a formal education for their son. However, like many self-motivated and determined black leaders, Woodson became self-educated at a young age. By the time he reached his late teens, he had demonstrated his proficiency in elementary and secondary school subjects. Eager to learn more, he left for Fayette County to work and gradually earn his education. By the time he reached twenty, he had earned a high school diploma and then went on to teach and superintend Douglass High School in 1900 (1).
In the early half of the twentieth century, African American educators, philosophers, sociologists and historians were examining the past with an eye to influencing the direction of the African American demographic and its future in the U.S. Nationalistic ideals and calls for solidarity influenced by Marcus Garvey, among others, promulgated an insistent look at the cultural background and ancestry of African descendants in the U.S., as well as a reclamation of communal experience. Woodson and others were faced with the the popular, pet theories and racist assumptions about blacks "having no history" shared by his white contemporaries. Hence, Woodson set out to immerse himself in research. His discoveries revealed that not only did African Americans have a history, it was one worthy of documenting--and celebrating. One source observes that Woodson remarked that historically, blacks "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use[d] them" (2). He sought to underscore the fact of a white dominant society's control over the telling of history, "to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind" (3).
This month, Dr. Malinda Wade has reassembled an annual celebration of Dr. Woodson and his career and contributions to a growing knowledge and understanding of African American cultural and historical production. This celebration is scheduled to take place here at Southwest Tennessee Community College on February 10th in the Vertie Sails gymnasium at 10:45 a.m. Please come and show your support.
In addition, Dr. Wade has organized an "African American Read-In" to take place at Macon and Union campuses at noon on February 23rd (information on specific venue is forthcoming). I encourage my students to volunteer to read and become part of this very worthwhile event.
