Retrospectively Visionary

February is the black history month. I don’t mean that is what God made it. Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month. This is the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he acquired an education by sheer determination and a Ph.D. from Harvard. It was the same determination and his visionary prowess that made the black history month a legacy we celebrate today. Starting out as a Journal of Negro History in 1916, grew into the Negro history week in 1926 as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history.
Woodson chose the month of February for Negro History week for its significance in black American history because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  Notable black civil rights such as W. E. B. DuBois, [NAACP co-founder] was born February. On February 3, 1870 the15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote. The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels took his oath of office Feb 25, 1870. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded Feb 12, 1909. And on Feb 21, 1965: Malcolm X,  would be shot to death by three Black Muslims.
I believe it is not only important to celebrate the black history in terms of African Americans but we need to take time yearly to cast our eyes off the whole western gig and take a look at where we are coming from as a race and a continent with a history blighted by slavery, apartheid, colonialism [remember the scramble for Africa?] The human race learnt how not to treat a human and how not to be human at a great price; a very great price a price called Africa.
It behooves us to remember where we are coming from and how far and long it has take us to reach where we are while we assess ourselves based on where we’d rather be. We need to be retrospectively visionary.
In the few days left of this month take some time to google African history, check up some notable times and events that shaped African history and some great minds that have done us proud in time past. We are not just Africans, we are Africa and don’t forget, a stream that forgets its source is soon dried up. A people without a grasp of their past will continually be at a loss as to who they are, and will be easy prey for the influence of those who do.
Do a great week and remember that Africa cannot be great until you are great. Awaiting your greatness. Great week ahead.

Posted via Blogaway