RCMS celebrates Black History Month

RCMS celebrated Black Heritage Month in February, with books, videos and conversations about African Americans who changed our lives.

The library had a display of books about Black history month and about African Americans, and some teachers showed videos.

“The purpose of this month is to honor and recognize the contributions Black Americans have made towards society. At the same time acknowledge the challenges and struggles Black Americans have faced because of the color of their skin,” said Mrs. Donlen, an RCMS teacher. “Staff members should be incorporating Black History Month into their curriculum in some way. For instance, I had my students watch a video on how Black History Month was developed, then we talked about the meaning of the colors associated with the month, and wrapped the lesson up by spotlighting two Black Americans who were the first in their field.”

Black History Month is to remember important people and events in the history of African Americans. It starts on Feb. 1 and ends on March 1. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976. February was chosen because the second week of the month includes the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick
Douglass. Lincoln was the president who freed and saved the slaves in the civil war, and Douglass, a former slave, was a leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.

One of the people who often come up during Black History Month is Martin Luther King Jr. He was a leader of the American civil rights movement. He organized several peaceful protests, including the March on Washington in 1963 where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Another person is Matthew Henson, the explorer who reached the North Pole with Robert Peary in 1909. Barack Obama was the first African American president. There are many more heroes and inspirational African Americans in the world that helped bring greater equality and freedom to all races.