Events planned for Black History Month

The formal celebration and recognition of African-Americans and their involvement in history goes back as far as 1926, when the first Negro History Week was observed.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson proposed the idea in 1925 to raise awareness of the history of African-Americans and the contributions they have made throughout the years. In the early 1970s, the name was changed to Black History Week, and in 1976, February was declared Black History Month.

Harold Gordon, assistant minister and trustee of Quinn Chapel AME church in Ironton, understands the significance of Black History Month.

“There are a lot of achievements that have been made by black Americans and, as far as the country is concerned, important achievements and it’s important to remember that,” Gordon said.

“We have children coming along and they need to know the history. We are all in this together. We have all made contributions to the country, no one is more important than the other and they all make our country who we are today,” Gordon added.

Dr. Douglas Carter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Burlington, recognizes the importance of continuing the observance.

“I think it’s important because it’s part of life. The black race has come so far,” Carter said.

Carter added that he just finished preaching about creation and how God created all people the same, and he said there was no need for the inequality that existed in the early years of the country.

“I’m just glad things are growing,” Carter said.

Carter said growing up in Ironton he didn’t experience segregation until he returned to the United States after serving in the Korean War. He recalled getting on the bus and sitting next to a white woman who yelled at him and cursed him and told him to get in the back of the bus.

“I had just spent 18 months overseas and it was hard to come back to that,” Carter said. “Things have progressed so well and I pray it continues.”

There are events going on throughout the month to help celebrate black history.

Shawnee State University has a Gospel Fest planned from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20 in the Flohr Lecture in the Clark Memorial Library.

A jazz musician, Galen, a flutist, will be performing from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in the East Lobby of the University Center.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Today, Quinn Chapel AME Church in Ironton will have a special service at 4 p.m., featuring musical and artistic talent including praise dancing and poetry from local churches.

Rev. ReLoy F. Gainey, pastor of Young Chapel AME Church in Huntington, W.Va., will be speaking. The theme of the service is a tribute to the members of the Ironton African-American community who have served or are serving in areas of public service.

The Ironton branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library will have two events on Feb. 28.

The first is an African-American geneology class at 2 p.m., educating attendees on the differences and problems African-Americans might come across when trying to research their heritage, as well as different records that are available.

The class is led by Lori Shaffer, adult services librarian.

Dennis Lambert will be speaking at 6 p.m. that day about the Underground Railroad.

If a person can’t make it to a service or event to honor Black History Month, there are some suggestions of ways to recognize it personally.

“The best way is to educate themselves on what the significance of black history month is, why we celebrate it and why we embrace it,” Gordon said. “It’s time to recognize and honor exactly what was done by this group of people and recognize it for the importance it does have.”

“Just treat each other right. We are all humans. We are all citizens of this great country,” Carter said. “We need to learn to love each other.”