Black History Month 2022
Hi Friends!
This is Issue 42 of our weekly newsletter and it is Black History Month!
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week, which eventually became Black History Month. February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and Frederick Douglas, a Black orator, social reformer, writer and abolitionist. In 1976, under President Gerald Ford, Black History Month was officially recognised in the country. Currently, the White House defines BHM as “both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black History is American history”.
The United States, Canada and Germany observe February as Black History Month. Other countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom, celebrate Black History Month in October.
The theme for Black History Month 2022 is Black Health and Wellness (I didn’t even know there were themes until today!).
According to The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) — established on September 9, 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson himself:
“The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well…The rise of fields, such as Public and Community Health and Health Informatics have led to a rise in preventive care and a focus on body positivity, physical exercise, nutrition, exploring other dietary options such as veganism and vegetarianism, and gardening. Black Health and Wellness not only includes one’s physical body, but also emotional and mental health…More of us understand the need to hold down, lift up, center, and fight fiercely for our beloved trans siblings and family. Black girls are doing breathwork, and there are whole yoga studios dedicated to people of color…We are determined to create a platform that shines a light on the multiple facets of Black health and wellness through education and activism. There is much to uncover, amplify, question, and correct.”
The ASALH also share a link to a wealth of resources on Black health and wellness which you can visit here.
