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Editorial

Through Dorris’ Eyes…: It’s African American History Month Houston!

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By: Dorris Ellis
It’s African American History Month Houston! Annually President Barack Obama declares that February is African American History Month. It was established by Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to graduate from Harvard University with a PhD in History.

Carter G. Woodson, the father of African American History Month proclaimed the second week of February as Negro History Week at its inception so that it would recognize Fredrick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays.

Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950)[1] was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African-American history. A founder of Journal of Negro History, Woodson has been cited as the father of black history.[2]

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, formerly named Association for the Study of Negro Life and History ran conferences, published The Journal of Negro History, and “particularly targeted those responsible for the education of black children” according historians.

We were taught the importance of Negro history as middle school children.

Here is a quote from the book: The Mis-Education of the Negro
“When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his ‘proper place’ and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.”
The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History for 2014 African American History Month theme is Civil Rights in America. Since 1915, the organization has determined a theme for which participants who seek knowledge and empowerment for the study of African American History can focus upon throughout the universe.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is an organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of African-American History. It is a non-profit organization founded in Chicago, Illinois, on September 9, 1915 and incorporated in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 1915 as the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) by Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland. The association is based in Washington, D.C. ASNLH was renamed the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1973.

ASALH’s official mission is “to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture to the global community.”

With this access to African American history at the click on the mouse on the mobile technology, there is no reason other than being lazy and trifling for one not to push forward toward progress. For if previous generations had not pushed forward toward freedom riding themselves of the badges of enslavement, we would not have an African American President to issue a proclamation proclaiming February as African American History month.

So, let’s learn our old and more recent history so that freedom and justice prevails.
May God bless and I will see you next week.

Editorial

Through Dorris’ Eyes…: Celebration with a purpose

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Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘s birthday has become a holiday where young families bring out their children to share the big moments of the civil rights movement. With parades and programs, the youth have an opportunity to peek into the past as attention is being given to the of the civil rights movement through public viewings today.

While children are learning, young adults are also learning along with their children as they both seek personal insights from the baby boomers who should have some lifetime stories about the civil rights movement.

In Houston, two parades are held. For the past 29 years, The Houston Sun has participated in the original MLK Black Heritage Society and it has always been a surreal moment as the event requires reflections and visioning. The need to measure our progress and to set new goals loom large.

The general public however, I recommend should listen to 3-5 different of Dr. King’s speeches
so that we can learn about the focus and guidance he was trying to bring to the world. His speeches are instructive thereby provide historical messages to the reader or listener. No, I shall not recommend any of them. Self guided education is good fo the learner as you can use technology to perform an internet search for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s speeches and listen to them using your electronic equipment of your choice or do it the traditional way and just settle down with your favorite beverage and read and think. The reading would probably give more opportunities for thinking and positioning yourself in the present with preparation for the future.

The future was the focus for Dr. King. The past was the history. The present was the change we were fighting for and the future was where our hopes and dreams rest. So, as young parents bring their children to the parades, they are connecting their children with a future that will belong them as the learn about the past that opened doors of opportunity for them, the future for whom the civil rights movement was fought.

May God bless and I will see you next week.