Commemorating Black History Month in the Diocese of Buffalo

Some current conversations about American History are contentious, especially when they focus on the experiences of African Americans. American citizens can make the honest claim that they did not create the structures or foundations in the United States that perpetuate human strife because of racial differences. Moreover, they can also make a strong argument that to inherit such aspects of history maintains divisions across racial lines.

In light of these points, let us consider the analogy that Heather McGhee, author of “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper,” uses to help us understand American History. McGhee uses the symbol of a house to explain American History with an understanding of the construction of the United States illustrated through its foundations, founding principles or ideals that initially did not serve to accommodate all. McGhee’s analogy using the symbol of a house can be extended further to include how all Americans can embrace their past. We, as American citizens, are homeowners of this place we called the United States of America.

As it is the case for many homeowners they had little or no involvement with the construction of their homes, yet they inherit the responsibilities of maintaining them. The maintenance of our home we respectfully call America continuously requires significant renovations and repairs. Thus, it requires all of us homeowners, all of us Americans, to figure out plans for restoration so that we are all adequately sheltered.

Indeed, our American History through the lens of the African American experience renders many stories and testimonies of the continuous plans for restoration of our house called America. It also celebrates the contributions of people of African descent who have made our home wonderfully dynamic.

The United States has been celebrating Black History since 1926. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week to coincide with President Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays because both symbolize freedom. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially extended the celebration of Black History observance for the month of February.

Woodson’s vision was for Americans to carefully study the lives of African Americans as well as celebrate their contributions to American society. He is famously known for his 1933 book entitled “The Miseducation of the Negro,” which brought attention to the inadequate curriculum in America’s schools with regards to the attention to the lives and contributions of African Americans. Additionally, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) in 1915, and in 1916, he launched The Journal of African American History.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History along with the National Museum of African American History have given the theme, “African Americans and the Arts” for this year’s commemoration of Black History Month.

Let us also be inspired by this year’s theme as we think about the contributions of pioneering African American Catholic liturgical music composers and liturgists such as Leon Roberts; Father Clarence Joseph Rufus Rivers; Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA; and Grayson Warren Brown to name a few. Their pioneering works have transformed Catholic liturgies in general and the liturgical styles of a diversity of people from other faith communities.

In closing, please consider joining the African American Commission’s virtual program commemorating Black History Month Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

The Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88206529638, Zoom meeting ID #882 0652 9638, and telephone: 1-929-205-6099.

Download the flyer here.

Local Black History Month events include:

The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor will host talks every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in February at the Merriweather Library. On Feb. 21, thhe topic will be “The History of the Colored Musicians Club.” Feb. 28’s topic will be “What Are You Reading Rev. Nash?”

The Buffalo African American Museum will feature weekly Saturday bus tours in February to various cultural sites in Western New York.

Every Saturday throughout February, Black History Month will be celebrated at the Broadway Market.