February is Black History Month. It’s a month-long festivity where communities and businesses all over Canada and the United States come together to celebrate Black excellence. It’s a way to recognize the contributions of black people, including the ones that were removed from our history books. And by acknowledging the past, we build toward a better future – a future where diversity and inclusion are so deeply woven into our everyday lives.
But who started it? How and why did it start in the first place? And what can you do to support it?
This article explores Black History Month’s roots and themes, its connection with Hip Hop, and the many ways you can get involved.
Black History Month’s origin started as a week-long celebration.
Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-educated black historian, worked hard to promote black history. Initially a week-long celebration in February 1926, “Negro History Week” recognized the contributions from African and Caribbean backgrounds. Woodson hoped this recognition would be so ingrained in American history, that black history would be unnecessary.
Woodson chose February to commemorate the birthdays of two significant figures:
Frederick Douglass – who escaped slavery and became the most important leader of the American civil rights movement in the 19th century,
and Abraham Lincoln – the 16th president of the United States who issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, which declared, "all persons held as slaves [within the rebellious states] are, and henceforward shall be free." This presidential order ultimately abolished slavery.
By 1976, it was turned into a month-long celebration and was officially recognized by Congress on February 11th, 1986. Canada officially recognized Black History Month in 1995.
We celebrate Black History Month to recognize African history, stories, and culture in North America.
Back then, the recognition of Black history was meant to show white America that African Americans played important roles in the creation of America and deserved to be treated equally as citizens. It was also created to increase the visibility of Black life in history at a time when the Black community was portrayed negatively in the media with anti-black racist imagery, like black caricatures and films like 1927’s, “The Jazz Singer.”
Today, we dedicate February to celebrating and remembering the contributions of Black Americans and Canadians throughout history and culture. It is our opportunity to learn about African cultures and stories, which some believe have not always been told and often overlooked.
Did you know Black History Month has a different theme every year?
Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) selects a theme for Black History Month. ASALH states, "Over the years, the themes reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community."
In 2022, the theme was Black Health and Wellness. Last year’s theme was Black Resistance. This year, Black History Month will celebrate African Americans and the Arts. ASLAH’s Black History Themes shows all the themes throughout the years since 1928.
Cue: Hip Hop
What a perfect segue to celebrate African Americans and the Arts with the emergence and meteoric rise of Hip Hop!
August 11th, 1973, Bronx, New York City. Little did Jamaican American DJ, Kool Herc, realize the summer block party he put on to help his sister with back-to-school clothes would become the birth of the Hip Hop revolution.
When Herc mixed two identical records, creating an extended “breakbeat,” he inspired a new movement in young African and Latino boys and girls: Breaking. With MC Coke La Rock on the mic and the surrounding graffiti in the background, Hip Hop was created that day.
Other notable Black Hip Hop pioneers: DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Grand Wizard Theodore.
At the time, Hip Hop was a response to the political, economic, social, and cultural reality of Black youth in New York City during the post-civil rights era (1970s). Hip Hop was an artistic release of expression. A way to be something more than what society labelled them as. It was a way of life for Black youth.
Today, this African American creation can be seen and felt all over the world. It has become a global phenomenon. Hip Hop has its own music industry. Look no further than turning your music app on and listening to a song with Hip Hop roots dominating the charts. You can find a DJ playing music for Hip Hop and non-Hip Hop parties or events (even at restaurants and clothing stores). Graffiti is regarded as its own art form with different styles, histories, and global developments in every corner of the world.
Last (but not least), dance. You can find Breaking in thousands of music videos and dance studios (like PULSE!) From Locking, Popping, New Jack Swing, Krumping, Waacking, Voguing, and Lite Feet, Hip Hop has birthed other dance styles, and those styles have their own subsets of styles. Dance has become a significant part of many kids' lives, with parents citing numerous positive health benefits. To read what those benefits are, check out the article, Benefits Your Kid Experiences in the Right Dance Environment.
This year, Hip Hop will make another leap in global awareness when breaking makes its debut as an official sport in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Yes yes yall…Hip Hop is alive and well with no signs of slowing down. Regardless of where it goes and how much it continues to grow, Hip Hop’s roots will always stem from African-American culture and a powerful contribution of Black excellence.
You can support Black History Month in a lot of ways
If you’re inspired to learn more about Black History Month and want to support and celebrate Black excellence, here are a few suggestions for doing so:
- You can do your own research on Black history and learn about the Black men and women who revolutionized North America.
- You can watch movies and TV shows centred around African American themes and actors.
- You can read books by Black authors.
- You can support Black businesses in your local area and online.
- You can attend Black history events.
- You can donate to charities.
You can even celebrate Black History Month at PULSE by taking dance classes from our amazing Black teachers and artists:
Eddie Campbell aka Funk-E is a magic maker who sparks perception, positivity, and process. Of Panamanian, Jamaican, French, and Spanish decent, Eddie has made his mark on the dance scene since 2014 and continues to share his Bboying and Hip Hop knowledge with his inspired students.
Eddie teaches the following classes:
Beginner Hip Hop on Wednesdays - 9:00pm to 10:00pm
Beginner and Intermediate Hip Hop on Thursdays - 6:30pm to 7:30pm and 7:45pm to 8:45pm
Beginner Breaking on Fridays - 6:30pm to 7:30 pm
Intermediate Breaking on Sundays - 3:15pm to 4:15pm.
Jess O’Connor teaches Beginner Hip Hop on Sundays from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.
Sudan Parke teaches many of PULSE’s performance level groups but you can catch her brand of Hip Hop and Afro-infused style in her Advanced Strictly Steps classes every Sunday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.
Aris Nsungani teaches Open House on Fridays from 7:45pm to 8:45 pm.
Supporting Black History Month gives us a chance to challenge what we learned in history, dig deeper, and find out past events that were not taught in schools. It is a way to show respect, celebrate the success stories, and reflect on the difficulties faced by Black people. By doing so, we can build towards a more inclusive future.
History is made every day. How we learn from the past shapes how we act today and the impact it has on future generations and people’s attitudes and values. Celebrate Black History Month together and let’s bring positive change for the future.
