February is considered "Black History Month." Primarily celebrated in Canada and the United States, this initiative aims to correct the erasure of Black history from school curricula and collective memory.
If the LGBTQ+ community has Pride Month in June, the Black community also has a few weeks to attempt to preserve the memory of the horrors of Black history in educational programs and public consciousness. In former slave states like the United States and Canada, February is recognized as Black History Month. While it has always been acknowledged as an integral part of American culture, it is essential to remember the origins of the initiative and why it remains particularly relevant in today’s world.
From "Negro History Week" to "Black History Month"
The celebration originated in the United States in 1926. To highlight the long-overlooked contributions of African Americans to the country's history, historian Carter G. Woodson—often considered the "Father of Black History"—introduced the concept of Negro History Week. To support this, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH, now known as ASALH) in 1915, with the goal of promoting a rigorous and scientific study of Black history.
The choice of February for this week was not random, as it encompassed the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two symbolic figures for the Black community who had already been commemorated by African Americans since the late 19th century.
Over the decades, driven by activists and intellectuals, the initiative gained momentum. As Black narratives remained marginalized in school curricula—especially amid the Civil Rights Movement—it became increasingly necessary to give greater visibility to Black history. However, it was not until 1976, during the U.S. Bicentennial, that President Gerald Ford officially expanded Negro History Week into Black History Month.
This extension allowed for the recognition of iconic figures like Harriet Tubman (abolitionist and civil rights activist), Martin Luther King Jr. (Baptist pastor and nonviolent activist), and Malcolm X (orator, preacher, and human rights advocate for the Nation of Islam). Beyond these prominent figures, the initiative also sought to acknowledge the everyday contributions of thousands of Black individuals across all fields.
An International Movement
Though born in the United States, the concept has since spread worldwide. In Canada, the celebration follows a similar approach to that of the U.S., while in the United Kingdom, Black History Month is observed in October. These adaptations demonstrate that the movement transcends borders, with a shared goal of recognizing and celebrating the heritage and contributions of people of African descent.
In the U.K., recent events have highlighted a growing effort to reclaim narratives surrounding Black history. Beyond Black History Month, initiatives such as the installation of commemorative plaques and exhibitions in historic sites aim to correct historical inaccuracies and provide a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of Black heritage.
This movement reflects a broader trend: the recognition of education and culture as tools for social transformation. However, this progress is increasingly threatened by the rise of far-right and fascist movements worldwide.
A Commemoration Still Subject to Debate
As a powerful educational tool, Black History Month has become a target for movements opposing so-called “wokeness.” In the wake of Black Lives Matter, which shed light on racial inequalities and police violence, this commemorative period underscores that Black history is not just a distant memory but a living reality shaping our society today—leading to persistent debates.
For instance, since Trump’s presidency and his policies favoring wealthy white men, an official White House proclamation was issued at the beginning of February 2025 to celebrate Black History Month. However, the U.S. Department of Defense took the opposite stance. According to AP News, the department declared that "identity months are dead," effectively dismissing not only Black History Month but also Women’s History Month and Disability Awareness Month.
Other longstanding debates revolve around the duration of the commemoration. As early as the 2000s, cultural figures began questioning why Black history was confined to just one month. In 2005, for example, actor Morgan Freeman argued that restricting Black history to February was reductive, stating, "Black history is American history." The proliferation of such opinions has led to discussions about integrating African American history permanently into education and public discourse.
Black History Month is, therefore, much more than an annual commemoration or a trendy hashtag. It is an educational and cultural movement that fights against the erasure of Black history and calls for the ongoing recognition of the contributions of African Americans—and, by extension, the African diaspora—to the building of our societies.
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