Reflecting on Black History Month 2010

When February arrives, there’s a special buzz in the air and an excitement in my step.  It’s not just the cold days traipsing through snow, the anticipation of spring around the corner, or the heart-shaped candies, red roses and professions of love floating about.  I get stoked just thinking about the collective history and praiseworthy accomplishments of the descendants of Africa.

First founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson as “Negro History Week,” this institution has grown into a month-long observance in the US and Canada (and UK in October), celebrating the accomplishments and sacrifices of our forefathers.

To me, an American child of the 70’s and 80’s, Black History Month was the time that my mother, an inner-city science teacher, encouraged me to look beyond historic American figures like George Washington to discover African-American inventors like George Washington Carver and Jan Matzeliger. She introduced me to creative heroes who looked like me, providing a deep respect and pride for those who came before us.

In recent years, journalists and public figures in the African-American community have questioned the relevancy and validity of Black History Month in today’s times.  Has it “degenerated into a shallow ritual” as actor Morgan Freeman claims?  Is it useful to the community?  Is it fair to other communities to celebrate one specific culture during a given month?  These are the criticisms. While such questions are interesting to ponder, Designers421 is choosing to take a celebratory stance this month.

To us, Black History Month is necessary and very much relevant! The generations since Carver and Matzeliger have continued to make deep and lasting impacts on the world through design and innovation.  And, until we all know the accomplishments of modern designers like Chuck Harrison and Noel Mayo, there is still much work to be done to capture, share and celebrate the stories of this era.

Is it fair to other cultural communities for us to focus on the history of the African diaspora this month? Of course! Why not?  But, as a globally-connected community of creatives, the D421 family must also participate in the celebration of Latino, continental African and Asian heritage as well as other multicultural design communities.

In 2010, we will!  As the months progress, join us in sharing and connecting, as we work with designers and design organizations from a variety of cultural backgrounds to start documenting our collective creative contribution!

And, for the rest of this month, stay tuned for some great designer profiles and interesting blog posts. As African-American designers (and those with different cultural backgrounds joining in the celebration), please jump in on the thought-provoking dialogue about our collective contribution to the design field.

So, to get things started . . . . Tell us (in the comments section below) . . . . . What does Black History Month mean to you? And, what are you doing to celebrate the creative contribution?  How can we celebrate with you?

Happy Black History Month 2010!
Joi L. Roberts