Black History Month: What Can You Do and Who to Honor

February 1st marks the beginning of Black History Month in the United States, UK and Canada. Originally “Negro History Week”, President Gerald Ford changed the holiday into a month, with the help of Carter G Woodson and Jesse E Moorland, explaining that it was time too, “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

There is no debate that the accomplishments the black community since colonialism have been swept under the rug. This month I’ll be highlighting very prominent historical and pop culture figures who helped advance the black movement and why you need to know who they are. To start off though let’s recap some of the most prominent figure of the black civil rights movement.

4. Fredrick Douglass

Abolitionist Fredrick Douglass gained momentum as an orator for black social reform, after he escaped slavery from Maryland. He was noted as the “living counter-example to slaveholders’ argument that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as indecent American citizens”. He also was the first African American nominated for Vice President with Victoria Woodhull who ran for President in 1872 on the Equal Rights Party ticket, (maybe we can make that a new party to split our bi-partisan system).

3. Sojourner Truth

Isabella Baumfree was another escaped slave turned abolitionist. After securing her son and daughter from a plantation, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth after getting a message from God, who told her to leave the city and go to the country side. There she wrote “Ain’t I a Woman?”, attended women conventions, and then during the Civil War Truth helped recruit black troops for the Union Army.

2. Malcolm X

Muslim minster and human rights activist, Malcolm X took a more abrasive approach to the civil rights movement. Emphasizing Pan-Africanism as his main platform, he indicted white American in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. He was accused of preaching racism, violence, and was assassinated in 1965 by the Nation of Islam.

1. Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the most notable black historical figures Martin Luther King Jr. became the icon of the 1960s’ civil rights movement. With his nonviolent civil disobedience tactics which were based in christianity he led a plethora of boycotts, protests and his most famous March on Washington in 1963. Here, he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech which helped him receive his Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated in 1968 on his way to a national occupy movement in Washington D.C.

All of these heroes helped pave ways for black systematical structure improvement. During this month here are a couple things you can do, to be the best ally to honor BHM.

5. Accept your privilege and listen to Black people

4. Donate to Black Lives Matter here

3. Follow Refinery29’s #AcknowledgeIsPower

2. Create safe spaces for your Black friends, and help to precent racism whenever you see it on the street

1. Educate yourself on the African Diaspora and it’s influence on African development!

Have a good Black History Month y’all