In the United States, February is recognized as Black History Month. During this month, federal and local organizations pay tribute “to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.” This celebration started in 1925 during a week in February that encompassed the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. At the time, historian Carter G. Woodson hoped “to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to civilization,” so he envisioned and declared “Negro History Week.” The celebration expanded and became a central part of African American life, especially during the Civil Rights movement. By then, many Black history clubs had been formed, and teachers sought materials to instruct their students; this effort was supported by many progressive citizens of various backgrounds.
In 1976, during the United States bicentennial, President Ford asked all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That same year, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History celebrated the first Black History Month. Since then, every American president has issued Black History Month proclamations. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the organization continues to promote the study of Black history throughout the year emphasizing the fact that Black History is American History.
In 2023, the theme for Black History Month is “Black Resistance” and explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, since the nation’s earliest days.” At CDPL our Black History Month display will honor Sojourner Truth (ca. 1797-1883), an American abolitionist who advocated for temperance, as well as civil and women’s rights in the 19th century. A symbol of resistance, Sojourner Truth assisted many Blacks escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. To this day, she’s also known for the inaccurate rendering of her speech that introduced us to the (in)famous phrase “Ain’t I a woman?” This version was published by Frances Gage in the New York Independent nearly 12 years after she gave the speech.
Our monthly display, located on the second floor of the library, includes a variety of materials published by and about African Americans to assist you in your learning journey. Learning about Black History as told by Black authors is a starting point in honoring their voices, recognizing their accomplishments, and acknowledging the challenges they have and continue to face in exercising their full citizenship rights.
The Crawfordsville District Public Library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. If you would like assistance choosing your next read, talk to us at the reference desk on the second floor or give us a call at 765-362-2242. Happy reads MontCo!
Ivette de Assis-Wilson is the manager of the reference and local history department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
