Sankofa to Awakening: Homage honoring Black History Month
Sankofa to Awakening: Homage honoring Black History Month -Jorge A. Fuller
Recently I came across a former student of mines socail media post stating,
“…I don’t necessarily like Black History month. Mostly cause we have to be reminded where we come from which is an era of Blacks being beaten and ostracized on camera. I understand if you completely disagree with me but I don’t think this is an adequate substitution for the real shit that America owes us.”
I felt as if I failed them and if all they could remember are the parts of our history that are the trials and tribulations, then I didn’t teach them enough. So I responded:
“The purpose of Negro History Week, since 1975 better known as Black History Month was to highlight the contributions made by blacks that were ignored in education and media. My apologies as an educator that I did not do more to expand beyond slavery; to the birth of civilizations within the Nubian Empire, to the complete and utter disruption of economies Mansa Musa, to hygiene practices that help eliminate the black plague Moorish impact which is also proven in architectural designs of cities. Black history has been hidden so much that reparations are last on the list to rectify what happened to indigenous and captured people forced into a free labor system that is still present today. My apologies that so many tales are not spoken because Griots are silenced. Blacks in the US are geniuses who have built technologies but never received adequate acknowledgment because there’s still a clause that states we’re 3/5ths of a man and can be deemed less than so that we’re considered property. I do not want you to stop celebrating this month but to begin truly celebrating and passing the information in greater detail to those younger than yourself and those that have not been afforded the privilege to learn what you can.”
I’m asked how do I honor Black History Month? Looking at the above statements I have to do more. Just because, I acknowledge and celebrate Black History each day, showcasing and using what my ancestors and elders have contributed to (without recognition). Secondly, during the month of February, I encourage educators to place the contributions of Blacks into the forefront of their curriculum. And lastly, I live the historical lessons that were given to me and pass them to future generations.
So, I began by explaining the background of Black History Month formerly known as, “Negro History Week,” and how it was created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926; to provide an opportunity to showcase the many contributions of Black figures throughout history. He chose the second week of February because it covered the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Fredrick Douglass (February 14) who were common figures during the abolitionary period of the United States of America. Since 1976, it has morphed to be a month-long celebration, yet it amazes me that we sometimes feel limited to a month-long period of celebration. It seems that during the month of February media and classrooms began to display figures of Black History with the intent of honoring them but we must speak of the powerful history located in the motherland, the genius and ingenuity our ancestors had during slavery, and the worldly impact of Civil Rights movement and its supports.
Growing up I refused to read, as it was a task that took me away from running and playing with friends even though my household was full of readers. Every morning my grandparents would read the newspaper as they prepared my twin sister and I to leave for school. I remember my pawpaw reading the encyclopedia and granny reading the bible every night. My ma would read novels and my twin would read anything she got her hands on.
However, I refused to read until I picked up a book about Harriet Tubman.
From that, I learned that reading was outlawed as it could’ve potentially led to the uprising of slaves and them eventually removing themselves from bondage. I found myself acknowledging the ramifications of slavery such as the stripping of language, the branding inferiority, and the gruesome removal of our humanity for a time. Those people cannot be wiped away or forgotten because those stories of resilience birthed and nurtured for centuries to come.
Once there was a slave inventor named Ned “who” created the innovative cotton scraper. The invention was stolen, sold, and patent attempted by slave Master Oscar Stewart. We often celebrate Eli Whitney for patenting the cotton gin (which revolutionized the American economy), but he was white even though stories continue to press that he was black. It is our responsibility to truly tell the story that most of the inventions by slaves go unrecognized. Many took advantage by patenting inventions because slaves or Blacks couldn’t during that time. I ask you to consider who would benefit the most from the invention of such items? Slaves would! So we know who invented them.
Slaves were truly revolutionaries of technology which is simply the process to make life easier.
Honestly, that characteristic did not solely start or end during slavery. We can take it back to ancient Nubian empires that founded civilizations. The creation of recording information was literally written on walls. Bring it forward to the modern-day inventor of the super soaker who is finally getting his royalties. Each day we see a contribution of a Black figure in the technology we use. That genius does not stop here but even continues in the motherland with the growth of their car industry, energy, and communication. These stories are at our fingertips on the pages of social media begging to be shared, questioned, and read.
February is Black History Month created purposely to celebrate how Blacks have impacted society.
It is an opportunity for me to intentionally build in a unit to expose figures of the past that have inventions still in use in present times. In February, we get to encourage the display of figures as we continue to learn that more inventions were made by Blacks that were not allowed to get patents in the United States. My favorite unit has been showing students that the conductor of electrical charge, which illuminates the light bulb, is known as the filament which was created by Luis Latimer even though Thomas Edison gets the credit for the light bulb. Then I get to watch students do a simple circuit experiment lighting their light bulbs. February is the month that is hard for stakeholders to deny the opportunity to teach the impact of our figures, representation dictates that for our students to grow, “we must look back and give credit where it is due.”
Sankofa — the purpose of looking, seeking, and taking back to bring with you. Reviewing one’s history helps to provide rationalization & understanding of one’s present. Each day I reflect or reminisce to seek if my current decisions are improvements of ones made in the past. I find myself considering the quotes that are so commonly used and how they impact my life; am I judging by the “content of another’s character,” or working “by any means necessary,” as often we are not in the position of just Dr. King and Brother X but a combination. I look for those lessons that were taught by stories of Anansi the spider, “to be careful and know what you’re wishing for as each trick that was played is simply one that plays on your own desires.” For me, the lesson to remember is there are always people that aren’t recognized for their contributions, but without them, we wouldn’t have what we have. As the founders of the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter continue to press the issues of our mistreatment into the media, we must look to support those movements. I continue to support movements even when others don’t recognize it by simply sharing the information.
Black History Month is designed to showcase the contributions of Black people throughout history because it is not always present in textbooks as the media spends more time showcasing our destruction. It is important to celebrate and honor our history as it gives brief sparks that may become embers in the hearts of youth as it did to me. As a Black man, I must jump at the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of my people. Or I am doing a disservice to ultimately myself. I implore those that have read this far to choose to live black history, encourage its celebration, and seek the lessons from tales each day & share them for the future. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week that became Black History Month and in the next chapter hopefully will be the Black Awakening. As Shaili Jha MA so proudly stated, “I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams.”
The opinions expressed in this blog posting are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Surge Institute.
