BlackHistoryMonth

Black History Month. Google Commons photo

The recognition of Black History Month officially began in 1976, but its roots go back a lot further.

Carter Woodson, a journalist, activist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, created a Negro History Week in 1925, to be observed for a week in February. The observance gained in popularity among Black Americans and progressive white Americans throughout the 1930s and 1940s, offering rays of joy and pride in a time of economic depression and world war.

In 1949, Massachusetts native, Harvard-educated historian and iconic civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois lauded Woodson and remarked about Black History: “It is not merely a matter of entertainment or information. It is part of our necessary spiritual equipment for making this country worth living in.”

Then came the 1960s. That era of liberation and revolution led to expanded awareness of Black suffering and persistence in America, and the civil rights battles of the era marked a pivotal chapter in Black history. And in Chicago, a civil rights activist named Fredrick Hammaurabi started a Negro History Month celebration.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford issued a proclamation making February the nation’s official Black History Month.

Today, there are celebrations held throughout February in communities across America to highlight important contributions Black Americans have made to American history.

In Newton, there are several ways to participate.

In-person exhibits

The Jackson Homestead—a 19th century house-turned-museum at 527 Washington St. managed by Historic Newton—has exhibits detailing the lives of slaves and other Black people in Newton. There’s a lot of information on the home’s connection to the Underground Railroad, and the “Confronting Our Legacy” exhibit takes a hard look at slavery in the North amidst the growing abolitionist movement.

The Durant Kenrick House and Grounds is a farmhouse built in 1734 that has exhibits showing how the Durant and Kenrick families contributed to the abolitionist cause in Newton and Greater Boston.

And the New Art Corridor Gallery, located at 245 Walnut St. in Newtonville, has an exhibit, Sensory Garden, from now through Feb. 28, featuring artwork to experience with sight, sound, taste, touch and smell, curated by Chenoa Baker.

Online exhibits

The exhibit “Seeking Freedom in 19th Century America shares four stories of people with ties to Newton who sought freedom from slavery.

The exhibit “Finding Pamela: Writing a New History” shares the story of Pamela Sparhawk, a former slave who petitioned the state of Massachusetts to recognize her as heir to her brother’s estate, which was a huge ask at the time for a woman and a Black person.

Historic Newton also has a recorded videos to watch about voting rights: Overdue Series: Voting Rights: Where Do We Go From Here? on Vimeo

Events

On Feb. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m., Newtonville Books (10 Langley Road, Newton Centre) will host an event, Celebrate Black History Month—Meet the Authors, featuring Lisa Stringfellow (author, A Comb of Wishes and Kingdom of Dust) and Phoebe Sinclair (author, Confessions of a Candy Snatcher) reading from their books and talking about writing for children. You can even get copies for them to sign. The event is organized by Newton Community Pride and is aimed at kids ages eight through 12, but all are welcome.

On Feb. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., the New Art Corridor Gallery at Trio, 245 Walnut St., Unit 213, will host a Curated Guided Tour of Sensory Garden Exhibition with a Reception. Guests can experience art from 23 artists with all of the senses and with the curator leading a discussion on political, social and cultural themes depicted in the art. There will be a reception following the tour.

On Feb. 23, from 2:20 to 4 p.m., Newton Community Pride will have a Panel Discussion with “The Nickel Boys,” at West Newton Cinema. “The Nickel Boys” is a movie about two Black boys who are sent to an abusive reform school in the 1960s. It’s based on the real-life Dozier Reform School in Florida. The panel discussion at West Newton Cinema will include Global Film Network Inc. Executive Director Theodore “Regge” Life; actor and educator Naheem Garcia; Boston University Professor Bradley Craig; and Harvard Associate Professor Myisha Eatmon.

On Feb. 28, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Newton Community Pride will host a concert by pianist and composer Mark Copeland at the Allen Center for the Arts, 35 Webster St., West Newton.

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