Black history month

Holley Roberts, Charger Staff

February was Black History Month, a celebration that first occurred in 1926, long before African Americans gained deserved respect and identity in this country. Although struggles with the issue of race still exist, America has come a long way since 1926.

Black History Month was established by Dr. Carter Woodson, whose parents were once slaves. He accomplished a great deal for his people and fought to gain recognition for them. Dr. Woodson launched “The Journal of Negro History” and established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.

Black and white Americans alike owe much thanks to such men and women who fought for blacks’ rights and painstakingly won them through years of persecution and injustice. From colonial times to the Civil Rights Movement to the present scuffle over affirmative action, peaceful race relations seem elusive still.

Yet, improvements are everywhere, and, with such issues as terrorism threatening peace, racial relations should certainly cease to be a nagging problem. Besides, it is childish and ignorant to dwell on our ethnic past when such prejudice only clouds the vision and ravages the soul.

This is why Black History Month is a wonderful time to honor our differences and our similarities as Americans.
Cookeville celebrated Black History Month in a number of ways. Ailey II, a dance school out of New York, performed at the Drama Center on February 3 and 4.

Paul Horsley of the Kansas City Star said, “Ailey II is an exceptional dance company that merges the spirit and energy of the country’s best young talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers.”
Those who made it to see the program were impressed and entertained.