African American History Month... Okurrr!

Beginning on the first day of February 2019, I have been querying young people, primarily high school students as to "if they could tell me who Cardi B is?"  Unanimously their answers were acceptable as to having sufficient,  substantial knowledge of the celebrated Dominican/Trinidadian American rapper, singer, and songwriter.

However, when the same students were then asked if they knew who Carter G. Woodson is (or was), the vast majority--as of the present, all respondents had no knowledge of who Carter G. Woodson is/was.

Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) was an African-American who was born and raised in the New Canton area of  Buckingham County. He became a noted teacher, educator, and historian. He is best known for establishing Black History Week, which has evolved into Black History Month. Dr. Woodson is known as the Father of Black History.  Never Remove the Cornerstone!

In 1926, Woodson pioneered the celebration of "Negro History Week", designated for the second week in February, to coincide with marking the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. However, it was the Black United Students and Black educators at Kent State University that founded Black History Month, celebrated from February 2nd through February 28th, 1970.

President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the Nations' Bicentennial, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”  Each U.S. President since Gerald R Ford has officially designated February as African American History Month and endorsed a specific theme.  The theme for African American History Month 2019 is "Black Migrations."  See: https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

To clarify my point, I did not mean to 'throw shade on Cardi B, as she has earned her rightful place in history an is amongst those to be celebrated as such, especially in month of February's Black History Celebration. Let us remember, however that there is no African American History Month Celebration had Carter G. Woodson not been! Okurrr!