By Korey Bowers Brown
During the dawning decades of the twentieth century, it was
commonly presumed that black people had little history besides the
subjugation of slavery. Today, it is clear that blacks have
significantly
impacted the development of the social, political, and economic
structures of the United States and the world. Credit for the
evolving
awareness of the true place of blacks in history can, in large part,
be
bestowed on one man, Carter G. Woodson. And, his brainchild the
Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc.
is continuing Woodson's tradition of disseminating information about
black life, history and culture to the global community.
Known as the "Father of Black History," Woodson (1875-1950) was
the son of former slaves, and understood how important gaining a
proper education is when striving to secure and make the most out of
one's divine right of freedom. Although he did not begin his formal
education until he was 20 years old, his dedication to study enabled
him to earn a high school diploma in West Virginia and bachelor and
master's degrees from the University of Chicago in just a few years.
In 1912, Woodson became the second African American to earn a Ph.
D. from Harvard University (the first was W. E. B. DuBois). Applying
the insights he gained during his academic matriculation, Dr. Woodson
began teaching black students in the District of Columbia's public
schools and at Howard University.
Recognizing the dearth of information on the accomplishments of
blacks in 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study
of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of
African American Life and History (ASALH).
Under Woodson's pioneering leadership, the Association created
research and publication outlets for black scholars with the
establishment of the Journal of Negro History (1916) and the Negro
History Bulletin (1937), which garners a popular public appeal.
In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History
Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass
and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, this celebration was expanded to
include the entire month of February, and today Black History Month
garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and
social backgrounds discuss the black experience. ASALH views the
promotion of Black History Month as one of the most important
components of advancing Dr. Woodson's legacy.
In honor of all the work that Dr. Carter G. Woodson has done to
promote the study of African American History, an ornament of
Woodson hangs on the White House's Christmas tree each year.
The ASALH Website and The ASALH Store are projects of the ASALH
Publication Committee, Daryl Michael Scott, Chair.
(C) ASALH, 2008 | Direct comments to info@asalh.net | Page revised
1/3/2008
http://www.asalh.org/woodsonbiosketch.html
--
Carter G. Woodson
(1875 - 1950)
"If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it
becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands
in danger of being exterminated."
Biographical Information - by Jacqueline Goggin
http://www.africawithin.com/woodson/woodson_bio1.htm
Biographical Information - by Runoko Rashidi
http://www.africawithin.com/woodson/woodson_bio2.htm
Biographical Profile
http://www.africawithin.com/bios/carter_woodson.htm
Originally released in 1933, The Mis-Education of the Negro continues
to resonate today, raising questions that readers are still trying to
answer. The impact of slavery on the Black psyche is explored and
questions are raised about our education system, such as what and who
African Americans are educated for, the difference between education
and training, and which of these African Americans are receiving.
Woodson provides solutions to these challenges, but these require more
study, discipline, and an Afrocentric worldview. This new edition
contains a biographical profile of the author, a new introduction, and
study questions.
http://www.africawithin.com/woodson/woodson.htm
--
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