During the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. This month is dedicated to the achievements of Black people in America. During this time many of our children will come home with assignments about famous and prominent African American figures. We parents may even be tasked with creating a project for the month. My experience has been that this time is usually set aside for figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King the Great Civil Rights leader, popular athletes, or famous figures like Oprah Winfrey.
We parents should begin to teach our children about these famous African Americans not only in February, but throughout the year. Black History is American History.
Black History Month originally began as Negro History week, established by African American Historian DR. Carter G. Woodson. The week was meant to commemorate trailblazing African Americans. In 1976 the week gained national attention and expanded to what is now known as Black History Month.
This year for Black History month my son has learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and George Washington Carver the agriculturist who developed countless uses for the peanut. These are both major figures in history. My son was given a project to complete at home. He had to choose a famous African American to present to the class for Black History Month. This opportunity became a great teaching moment. I wanted my son to learn about a black person that he may never learn of in school. I also wanted to teach the other students. I thought outside the list sent home and researched some lesser know peoples.
This Black History Month my son created a presentation on Garrett Morgan for his Kindergarten class. My son and I visited our local library, however there were no books on Garrett Morgan. The library may be short on books for lesser known figures as I discovered, but thanks to the internet you can find useful information. Garrett Morgan was an African American inventor who is most known for patenting an early type of traffic light. He later sold his patent to GE. Morgan also created an early version of the gas mask, which came in handy when he was called on to help people trapped in a tunnel.
This Black History Month I task my fellow parents to think outside the box and research inventors, artists, writers, activists, and people who may not be on the lesson plan for February.
Here are a few lesser know African Americans, but extremely important contributors in healthcare, science, and business. You can use this information for a short history lesson:
Inventor: Elijah McCoy (1844-1929): If you have heard the term “The Real McCoy” then you may know about Elijah McCoy whom many say the term refers to. In 1872 McCoy developed an automatic train lubricator that allowed trains to run longer which was important in the early railroad days. When ordering the part it is said people would request the “Real McCoy” as a way to differentiate the real from the fake.
Scientist: Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806): Banneker was an astronomer and mathematician. He should be most noted for designing Washington D.C. after the original engineer backed out. He also published his own almanac that was sold throughout the world.
Business Person: Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919): One of the first female millionaires in the United States. Madam C.J. Walker made her fortune through beauty and hair-care products at a time when there was limited choices for people of color.
Medicine: Dr. Charlea Drew: (1904-1950): Dr. Drew developed a way to process and preserve blood plasma. This was important because prior to his process, blood would expire and could not be used after a few days.
Modern Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson (1949): Lonnie was a prominent Engineer for NASA. He invented the Super Soaker, a toy that I grew up playing with and one that is still very popular this day.
These are just a few notable figures that I think young people should be introduced to. It is important that we parents educate our children about Black History and the contributions of Black people around the world. Visit your local library or surf the web for information about these individuals and so many others.
