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Black History Month

"The Real McCoy" is Black History

Welcome to our African American History Month Web site. Black History Month (also known as African-American History Month) is not a government sponsored event. Most special dates (a day, week or month) that we celebrate are a matter of tradition, culture and history. February is observed as Black History Month because of public action and involvement. The easiest way to control a people is to deny them a history. Another is to falsify a history that demeans one's past, therefore minimizing present accomplishment.

Publication and education in a society is the key to recognition of important historical events. As late as the 1950s it was not uncommon to read in school history books, "Negro people were slaves in the south. However they were generally treated well." That was the total reflection of Black history in America, if that much.

"Truth must be dug up from the past and presented to the circle of scholastics in scientific form and then through stories and dramatizations that will permeate our educational system." - Carter G. Woodson

There was little talk of or belief in Black history before Dr. Carter Woodson (1875 - 1950). Born to poor former slaves, Carter became an extra ordinary scholar/educator, publisher and historian. Dr. Woodson must be credited with bringing the importance and study of African-American history to the world.

Carter G. Woodson

He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago. His PhD. in History was earned at Harvard University. Key education assignments included, principal of Douglass High just four years after graduating from that same school. After extensive study in Asia, Africa and Europe he returned to the USA. From 1909 to 1918 he taught English, Spanish, French and of course History at a Black high school in Washington, D.C. Woodson served as a Dean of Howard University and later Dean of West Virginia State College.

"If a race had no recorded history, its achievements would be forgotten and, in time, claimed by other groups." - Carter G. Woodson

Example: In American culture the term "the Real McCoy" refers to a genius Black inventor born to poor runaway slave parents. Elijah McCoy (1843-1929) was awarded more than 56 US patents in his career. His specialty was developing automatic lubrication systems for heavy equipment like steam locomotives. McCoy's designs were so effective and dependable that people examining machinery and other equipment in the late 1800s and early 1900s would ask if it contained "the real McCoy?" If so, the response would be, "it's the real McCoy." Imitations of McCoy's inventions did not work as well. Our American expression "It's the real McCoy," means it is the best or the genuine article. Fact, "the real McCoy" is not a part of our language because of a TV show, movie or a music group. "The real McCoy" is a part of our Black history.

Understanding the importance of publishing to Black history recognition, Woodson began to concentrate on research and publication. In 1915, Woodson and others formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The group later evolved into the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. Its purpose, "the collection of sociological and historical data on the Negro, the study of peoples of African blood, the publishing of books in the field, and the promotion of harmony between the races by acquainting the one with the other."

The Association began publishing the significant Journal of Negro History now the Journal of African American History with Woodson as editor until his death. Important books by Dr. Woodson include, The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861, published in 1915, A Century of Negro Migration in 1918 and The Negro in Our History in 1962.

Dr. Carter Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926. The celebration is now a month long in February.

The world's only theatre exclusively dedicated to the depiction of African American history, the African American Drama Company (AADC) follows the teaching of Dr. Woodson. Therefore, AADC has for twenty-seven (27) years encouraged Americans to dig up the past "through stories and dramatizations that permeate our educational system."

For You
Finally, in Dr. Woodson's tradition of Black history publication, AADC makes available complementary essays on the subject. We have prepared three (3) short articles about Black History Month. These articles are inspiring and full of information. What can you do to support the Month's celebrations? Learn how you can be part of the legacy. The articles may help you establish relevant and meaningful traditions that remind all of Africa-America's legacy. You may print each article to read away from the computer. There is no charge to receive these articles. Thank you for visiting us. Please tell a friend.