Black History Month: A Reflection on Historical Foundations and Contemporary Progress

Shakthi Suthakaran | February 23rd, 2021

Modern-day society is a direct result of the historic foundations preserving the land and the law it was built upon. As such, the institution of Black History Month regales the evolution of civil rights acts and human rights movements. The premise of Black History Month and its significance in contemporary society can be understood through the impact of the Civil Act of 1964 and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Although steps remain for marginalized groups to attain racial justice, Black History Month remains an insightful period of reflection due to the traditional and reformative origins of the celebration, the proposal of benchmark acts in the American legislature, and the evolution of the global fight for liberation.

The framework for Black History Month originated in the summer of 1915 when Carter G. Woodson attended a national celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation. Thousands of African Americans travelled across the nation to see the exhibits elucidating the progress their people had made since the abolishment of slavery (1). Tasking inspiration, Woodson chose the month of February for traditional and reformative reasons. To elaborate, February is the birth month of two significant American figures who contributed to shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. As such, Woodson embellished “Negro History Week” around days within this month commemorating those whose prominent contributions to history were celebrated by black communities (2). However, despite the traditional roots, Woodson resolutely believed that history was “made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men”(3). He substantiates this claim through the example of the Union Army, in which it had been thousands of black soldiers and sailors, not Lincoln, despite his prominent name and actions, who had liberated the slaves. Thereby, Woodson argues that the premise of the historic week should be focalized upon the innumerable black individuals who had contributed to the progress of humanity rather than singular, pronouncedly “great” figures. Throughout the 1940s, the Black community strived to expand the study of black history in schools and public celebrations and, eventually, the foundations of this understanding grew into the month of historic reflection we honour today.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a comprehensive U.S. legislation formed under the premise of ending discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin. It contains eleven segments or Titles: voting rights (Title I), public accommodations (Title II), desegregation of public facilities (Title III), desegregation of public education (Title IV), civil rights commission (Title V), nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs (Title VI), equal employment opportunity (Title VII), registration of voting statistics (Title VIII), intervention in court cases (Title IX), community relations service (Title X), and court proceedings and legalities (Title XI) (4). At the time of its introduction by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Civil Rights Act was a controversial proposal. However, on July 2, 1964, Kennedy’s successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, successfully signed the bill into law. This act granted federal law enforcement agencies the authority to prevent racial discrimination in employment fields, voting rights, or the use of public facilities. For example, after the inception of this act, black individuals gained access to restaurants, transportation services as well as equal education in integrated schools (5). Through such mechanisms, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 established itself as an inspirational framework for many other marginalized groups seeking liberty, equality, and accessibility. As such, the act is an evident benchmark for the civil rights legislation and continues to have an impact in contemporary, American society (6). However, the movement has not achieved its end goals for prosperity yet, and citizens continue to strive for their human rights through acts of political participation such as “lobbying, litigation . . . and public protests”(7). Therefore, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided the foundation for the contemporary efforts striving towards racial justice.

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a phrase that encompasses the evolving movement of a generational fight for equal rights and freedom. To elaborate, “Black Lives Matter'' originated as a hashtag created by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometti, three black women seeking liberation from state-inflicted violence around the world. Since its inception on July 13, 2013, Black Lives Matter has evolved into an influential, social movement for freedom fighters striving in the post-civil rights era (8). However, unlike the civil rights movement, Black Lives Matter is a human rights movement focused on fighting for a reconstruction of society, rather than legal concerns, to ensure black individuals’ liberty from systematic dehumanization. Despite this, BLM has continued to have a significant impact on the political and legal climate. One reason for its success is its cultivation of a variety of organizations premised around black liberation, where each initiative is independent with its distinct vocalizations. For example, one group involved in the movement is the Black Youth Project 100, which is an initiative dedicated to securing justice and freedom for all Black people through a network of transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy, and political education (9). Other groups include; the Dream Defenders, Assata’s Daughters, the St. Louis Action council, Millennial Activists United, and the Organization for Black Struggle (10).

BLM has also had a cultural impact expanding beyond just legal and political limits. To elaborate, BLM was the first U.S. social movement to effectively use the internet as a mass mobilization device, and thereby solidifying itself as the catalyst of a phenomenon known as “mediated mobilization.” The term refers to social movements facilitated through 21st-century organization efforts, including social media tools and the internet. BLM has evolved into a strong and substantial human rights movement in the contemporary world. The consequences of George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, resulted in “Black Lives Matter” evolving from a hashtag to a worldwide, rallying cry for freedom fighters. However, in addition to protests and donations, the movement’s progressive demands, such as defunding the police to invest in marginalized communities, have also received backlash and criticism (11). For example, in response to the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” critics have coined the phrase “All Lives Matter,” which some argue trivializes the struggles of Black individuals at the hands of systematic discrimination (12). The effort to acknowledge historic foundations and strive for progress is the culmination of Black History Month. In contemporary society, it is time to take every opportunity presented and push for a global transformation of freedom and humanity.

Black History Month is an insightful period that presents the opportunity for individuals to reflect upon the traditional and reformative origins of the celebration, the proposal of benchmark acts in the American legislature, and the evolution of the global fight for liberation. As such, the legal institution of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the cultural impact of Black Lives Matter have contributed to the global fight of marginalized groups. In time, the strife of the past will see merits in the future through the progress undertaken by those in modern-day society.

Endnotes

1. Scott, Daryl Michael. “About Black History Month.” ASALH, 2021, asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/.

2. Scott, Daryl Michael. “About Black History Month.” ASALH, 2021, asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/.

3. Scott, Daryl Michael. “About Black History Month.” ASALH, 2021, asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/.

4. Leffler, Warren K. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom Epilogue.” Epilogue - The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom | Exhibitions - Library of Congress, 10 Oct. 2014, www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/epilogue.html.

5. Leffler, Warren K. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom Epilogue.” Epilogue - The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom | Exhibitions - Library of Congress, 10 Oct. 2014, www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/epilogue.html.

6. “Legal Highlight: The Civil Rights Act of 1964.” U.S. Department of Labor Seal, www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/civil-rights-center/statutes/civil-rights-act-of-1964.

7. Leffler, Warren K. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom Epilogue.” Epilogue - The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom | Exhibitions - Library of Congress, 10 Oct. 2014, www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/epilogue.html.

8. Roberts, Frank Leon. “How Black Lives Matter Changed the Way Americans Fight for Freedom.” American Civil Liberties Union, American Civil Liberties Union, 13 July 2018, www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/how-black-lives-matter-changed-way-americans-fight.

9. “ABOUT BYP100.” Byp100, Last Chance, www.byp100.org/about.

10. Roberts, Frank Leon. “How Black Lives Matter Changed the Way Americans Fight for Freedom.” American Civil Liberties Union, American Civil Liberties Union, 13 July 2018, www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/how-black-lives-matter-changed-way-americans-fight.

11. Asmelash, Leah. “How Black Lives Matter Went from a Hashtag to a Global Rallying Cry.” CNN, Cable News Network, 26 July 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/us/black-lives-matter-explainer-trnd/index.html.

12. Asmelash, Leah. “How Black Lives Matter Went from a Hashtag to a Global Rallying Cry.” CNN, Cable News Network, 26 July 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/us/black-lives-matter-explainer-trnd/index.html.