African Heritage Month matters

This article was written by Kalkidan Gebre, outreach assistant with Dal's Global Health. It has been repurposed from the Global Health Office's blog.

This month marks the 90 anniversary of the celebration of African Heritage Month.  

African Heritage Month dates back to 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson established the second week of February to be “Negro History Week" to recognize the achievements of African Americans. Over the years, the occasion has evolved into a month in which the Western world is challenged to contemplate on the study and celebration of the journey and achievements of its African-descended residents: a journey filled with obstacles and triumph, from denied freedom, equality, and justice to compromise, sacrifice, opportunity, and community.

This history is complex as it is embedded with sadness, pain, promise, and hope. It is filled with lessons of leadership, community, and love that are still applicable to our lives today.

Earlier this month, I connected with several Dalhousie students to ask them what African Heritage Month — still sometimes referred to as Black History Month — means to them and why it should be celebrated on campus.  

Mana Gebreyohannes, Masters of Social Work student

Black History Month is a beneficial period where many can gain awareness of the contributions and accomplishments of, often, unrecognized people of African ancestry. It’s a period when the younger generation can learn about a comprehensive history of Canada and abroad. For me, Black History Month is not confined to the shortest month of the year, it’s every month! I celebrate and learn about my history and culture in every aspect of my life and illustrate that pride in everything that I do.

Cinera States, third-year Medicine student

Black History month means taking time to pay tribute to those who broke down barriers for me. Although every day I am conscious of and proud of my roots, black history month is like an active reminder to celebrate out loud. To bring the roots of my being to the forefront for once in a society where they often take the back seat. It is important that we celebrate Black History Month on campus because it is a way to bring people of all races together. Recognizing that we all have an important history to share and we all can play a role in celebrating how far we’ve come while also remaining aware of where we have yet to go.

Desiree Jones, fourth-year Sociology student

To me, Black History Month means celebrating and appreciating a history that is often extenuated. It means letting the world know that Black people have made significant contributions to society, as well as reminding the younger generations of the barriers cleared for them by those who challenged extremely unequal conditions of the past. It should be celebrated at Dalhousie because when the community is not aware of different perspectives on events in history, attitudes of racism and discrimination have room to arise in people’s opinions and thoughts. This negatively impacts students of African descent, and perpetuates situations that lead to disadvantages that people have worked so hard to eradicate over generations.

Amina Abawajy, fourth-year Informatics and International Development Studies student

Black History Month is an opportunity for communities to learn about and honour the cultures, histories, and legacies of people of Afrikan descent. Not only should Black History Month be celebrated at Dalhousie but the legacy of people of Afrikan descent should be meaningfully reflected and integrated in academic curriculums and policies.

Vicky Atiol, fourth-year Economics student

To me Black History Month is the recognition of the adversities and liberation of the African people throughout history. I believe that Black History Month symbolizes the movement to change injustices that we currently live in. Black History Month is important to acknowledge at Dalhousie so that students are aware of the substantial contributions that we have made to society. In a world that is run by white privilege, we need to continue to motivate the black people to strive for the greatest so that they may emulate their ancestor’s great work of changing society to be better.

Read also: Celebrating African Heritage Month at Dal (Feb 3)