Dr. Carter G. Woodson is known as the father of Black history.
Written by D. L. White
February is regarded as African American History Awareness Month or Black History Month. As noted in the February 3 issue of this newspaper, the official observance of African American history began in 1976 after Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926. That observance marks it 40th anniversary this year.
It was Dr. Woodson’s goal to share factual information of the Negro (designation used during that time), to encourage race pride and enlighten those of the majority who were not aware of the contributions, discoveries and achievements of Black people in America and around the world. Woodson learned first-hand from his travels, secondarily to earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912, of the vast contributions of African people and their offspring born and living America. He was amazed and astonished to learn a Black man performed the first successful open heart surgery in the world (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams – 1893); and that it was a Black man who died first for the cause of America’s freedom (Crispus Attucks – 1770), and it was a Black man who first ventured into what is Arizona and the great Southwest with the Spanish Conquistadors (Estavanico – little Stephan 1500s). These and many other contributions and achievements lead Woodson to establish the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.
Boston Massacre. photo published by Relchner Bros
March 5, 1770
When most school age students learned of the Revolutionary War, they learned of the brave and courageous Minutemen, Paul Revere’s great ride warning that the British were coming, and names such as George Washington, battlegrounds in Concord and Bunker Hill. Very few students (Black or White) outside of Boston, Massachusetts heard the name Crispus Attucks until they themselves researched America’s fight for independence or took a college course in African American Studies. The truth of the matter is that long before Washington rose to lead the militia or before battles at Bunker Hill or Concord, there was an incident in Boston Commons, the Boston town square.
On the evening of March 5, 1770, a group of Boston’s working class citizens entered the town square to protest the British occupation of their town and the rising import bounties imposed by the Townshend Act. The group had protested for several days and the most vociferous voice was that of former slave Crispus Attucks, a strongly built, square jawed individual born of an African father (Prince) and a Native American mother (Nancy). Attucks was born in 1723, and had escaped bondage at age 16 while living his life at sea. The years of bondage and working on ships had taken a toll and Attucks looked forward to settling in the Boston area, raising a family and tilling the soil of his farm.
Armed only with snowballs and some carrying farm tools, protesters lead by Attucks hurled verbal statements and snowballs at the guards. Captain Thomas Preston of his majesty’s Royal Army was in charge when the word to fire was given. Attucks, who was standing square in the middle of the group of protesters, took two muskets to his chest. He swayed back, standing momentarily before falling to the ground. Four others, Samuel Grey, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell and Aaron Carr were also hit; two of them died from their wounds days later.
Attorney and future president John Adams represented the British soldiers and won acquittals for the majority. Adams referred to the unarmed protestors as a “rowdy bunch” that disturbed the peace and posed a threat. Attucks death and the stand taken on March 5, 1770 became a battle cry for the Colonist, who declared their independence from British rule.
A monument was erected to honor those that gave their lives in the pre-revolutionary fight for independence. A silver dollar was minted bearing Crispus Attucks likeness, and an annual enactment referred to as Attucks Days is held every March 5 in Boston Commons (town square).
Greensboro News & Record photo by Jack Moebes
February 1, 1960
Long before malls became popular shopping centers across the nation, most cities and even small towns enjoyed downtown department stores and lunch counters. One of the most popular was Woolworth Department Stores. This particular chain carried clothes, had a pharmacy, and even a lunch counter. As was the case during the pre-Civil Rights era, Blacks could work as dishwashers, cooks and janitors in most businesses, but they could not sit or eat at the counter or use the facilities – until four freshmen students acted.
On the morning of February 1, 1960, North Carolina A & T freshman Ezell Blair, Jr, David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil took matters into their own hands. They took a cue from Rosa Parks, who sat down and refused to give up her seat on a crowded bus. The four freshmen went into Woolworth and sat down at the lunch counter during the lunch rush.
Angry patrons of the favorite spot got up and left, management yelled and hurled slurs but the students stayed without saying a word. News of the incident spread like a fire through dry brush. The next day many more students entered the five-and-dime store and occupied places at the lunch counter, refusing to leave or move, as angry white customers left disgusted.
On February 4, seven white female students from North Carolina Women’s College joined the protestors. The women acted as if they wanted to sit at the counter and order, only to give up their seats to an African American student protestor. The management was up in arms. Customers began pouring shakes, coffee and water on students. They were spat on, called vile and negative names however, they continued to sit and say nothing.
News of the sit-ins arrived in the deeper south and Dr. King gave his support of the nonviolent effort. By Feb 7, 54 sit-ins had been held in 15 cities and across 9 states. After losing close to $200,000 dollars in business and negative national television coverage, Woolworth gave in. Here in Arizona, the lunch counters were opened to all due to the efforts of young dynamic leaders such as Opal Ellis, Rev. George Brooks, Dr. Lincoln Ragsdale, Cloves Campbell, Sr.
Men and women of African heritage aided America’s independence from British rule immensely. That same spirit lead to the shameful practice of discrimination in employment, housing, and education eventually being broken down as well. African American history is very much American history that has been purposely omitted from history books for generations. America could not and would not be the great nation that it is today without the contributions of its citizens of African heritage. In every battle, in many life-saving inventions and discoveries, from the North Pole to the founding of Chicago – a person of African American descent was there and made it happen. Learn the facts and celebrate achievements throughout the year.