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Africans in History
When historian, Carter G. Woodson, introduced "Negro History
Week" in 1926, it was designed to focus on the achievements
of Negroes and inform others that we were artists as well as
athletes and actors, scientists as well as singers, doctors
as well as dancers, and engineers as well as entertainers.
In 1976, fifty years after "Negro History Week" was
introduced, it was decided that we needed more time to
celebrate our schievements and heritage. And, every February
since 1976, the President of the United States has issued a
proclamation recognizing the contributions of African
Americans.
Although we must applaud Dr. Woodson for this beginning,
there are, at least, two things wrong with "Black History
Month." (1) It suggests that we have to have permission from
others to teach our story of survival and greatness. And (2)
No other ethnic group has to have permission, or a
presidential proclamation to tell their story.
We must speak, not about "Black History Month," but about
"Africans in History." When we were brought to this country,
we never ceased to be Africans. The blacks who fought on the
side of the Union Army during the Civil War against the
Confederate soldiers were Africans. They were not American
citizens.
We have never ceased to be Africans anymore than the Irish
ceased to be Irish, or the Germans ceased to be Germans.
Africa is our heritage. America is our experience. We are,
indeed, Africans in America. And since ours is a story of
survival, nobody can tell our story like the people who
lived it. And we must tell it in our homes, our schools and
our churches.
Early in its history, it was the African Methodist Episcopal
Church which was at the forefront of our struggle against
slavery and racial segregation. It told our story. And, so
while our churches are unapologetically Christian, they must
also be unashamedly African-American. And that, too, must be
our story.
Floyd Rose
Senior Servant
Serenity Christian Church
Unapologetically Christian- Unashamedly African-American
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