Why We Celebrate Black History

Thank you for following COMAEANEWS throughout this month. To wrap it all up, here is a short video discussing the importance and why we celebrate black history. Did you have a favorite post from COMAEA this month? If so, please let us know. We hope that this will led to more dialogue relating to cultural enlightenment. Thank you and remember.....



WE ARE BECAUSE THEY WERE!

Black Wall Street - #BlackHistoryFact

During the early 20th Century, there was a community in Tulsa, Oklahoma known as Greenwood.  Greenwood became affectionately known as "the Negro Wall Street", now more commonly referred to as "the Black Wall Street", due to number of successful businesses in this predominately black populated community.  This community held 600 businesses, 21 churches, 21 restaurants, 30 grocery stores, 2 movie theatres, 6 private airplanes plus a hospital, bank, post office, schools, libraries, law offices and even a bus system.  The dollar would circulate more than 36 times, sometimes taking more than a year before leaving the community.  This community flourished until the 1921 attack on the community that became known as the "Tulsa Race Riots".  Numerous witness accounts described airplanes carrying white assailants, who fired rifles and dropped firebombs on buildings, homes, and fleeing families.

The below photograph is of a few of the proud businessmen of "Black Wall Street". 

Knowledge is power!



U.S. Civil War Colored Troops Medal - #BlackHistoryFact

The image posted here is that of one of the medals that were awarded to African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War.  The medals were awarded by Gen. Benjamin F. Butler to African American soldiers under his command during the 1864 battles at Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer to show appreciation for their heroics.  The medals held no official status and, after the General was relieved of his duties the following year, the soldiers were not permitted to wear the medals on their uniforms.  

 

Receiving any type of medal for your service in the military is a great honor and to be a soldier of African American heritage fighting for your freedom, the medals probably held more meaning to those soldiers and their families than anyone could imagine.  Being of African American descent and knowing the significance that war held for this country, it's nice to know that a few African American soldiers were acknowledge for their bravery even if there were not allowed to display the medals on their uniforms.

 

Somewhere around 300 African American soldiers received these medals.    

Did You Know? #BlackHistoryFact Dr. King and Condolezza Rice

What does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Condoleezza Rice have in common? 

They completed high school and started college at the age of 15!

 Dr. Martin Luther King was so smart! He actually skipped his first and last year at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. That’s right Martin Luther King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta at the tender age of 15!

That’s right! Condoleezza completed her required course for high-school early! She was able to juggle a full schedule at any early age. High school in the morning, and attend the University of Denver in the afternoon.

These two individuals were destined for greatness! Education is the key. 

The Father of Black History - #BlackHistoryFact

Have you ever wondered where the idea of Black History Month came from? Black History Month was the idea of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (December 19, 1875 - April 3, 1950).  In 1926, Dr. Woodson created the celebration of "Negro History Week", for the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas.  This week of celebration for black history was later extended to the full month of February and renamed Black History Month.  Dr. Woodson noted that African American contributions "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them." 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, along with William Hartgrove, Cleveland Hall, Alexander L. Jackson and James E. Stamp, founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Because of his devotion to the history of black people, Dr. Woodson is also known as the Father of Black History.  

Black History Month!!!!

February is Black History Month and in honor of Black History Month, COMAEA will be posting some known and not so known tidbits about black history.  28 days, 28 posts!  Each post will also be shared on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.  This will be fun.  Subscribe, follow, check in daily or make us your homepage.  Do whatever it takes to stay in tuned with us.  We hope that this platform will serve as a springboard and inspire others to seek out more information.  Knowledge is power!

 Happy Black History Month from COMAEA.  

Barack & Curtis

The video below is a short documentary examining black masculinity.  During the time of this film, Barack Obama was only a presidential candidate.  The director uses the images set forth by rapper 50 Cent and the at time presidential candidate, Barack Obama. 
Chime in on our comment section and let us hear your thoughts on the video.

In Honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.

Today, COMAEA pays honor and we give thanks to a great man.