The Meaning of Black History Month: Andrea L. Taylor
The nation is indebted to African American scholar and historian Carter G. Woodson (1875 – 1950). After earning advanced degrees from the University of Chicago and Harvard, he became a founder of the Journal of Negro History and an advocate for Negro History Week. His dedication to celebrating the contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.
Subsequent efforts such as “The 1619 Project”created by journalist Nikole Hanna-Jones, the establishment of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., and an increasing number of documentary films such as “Descendant” are available to enlighten and inspire individuals and communities to learn more about Black history.
The racial reckoning resulting from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd made a strong case for the importance of the nation’s shared understanding of the truth about the history of this country.
As the population in the United States becomes increasingly diverse, understanding the truth about our shared history combined with a willingness to address the nation’s complex racial, economic, and social justice history must become a priority in every community. Persistent disparities in economic growth, access to credit, education, food insecurity, inadequate health care, and violence, including police brutality — most recently, the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police — must be addressed.
The racial reckoning resulting from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd made a strong case for the importance of the nation’s shared understanding of the truth about the history of this country. The legacy of slavery continues to limit opportunities for growth and sustainability for all communities in our nation. Black History Month is an opportunity to deepen our understanding, take action and become a social justice ally, advocate, or activist.
For Black History Month learning opportunities at BU and beyond, check BU Today frequently for programming and perspectives.
About the Author: As BU’s inaugural senior diversity officer, Andrea L. Taylor chairs the University’s Antiracism Working Group and its Community Safety Advisory Group. She also connects and supports a broad range of diversity, equity, and inclusion activities across BU’s campuses, including those being undertaken by the Board of Trustees Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Task Force on Workplace Culture.
Taylor is one of nine family members to attend BU, including her parents, Della Brown Taylor Hardman (CFA’45) and Francis Taylor Sr. (CFA’56). She established the Andrea L. Taylor Family Scholarship Fund and supports the BU community by providing need-based scholarships to undergraduate students at the College of Communication and the College of Fine Arts.
About Her Voice. Her Message. Expertise, diversity, philanthropy, and fellowship are woven throughout the Boston University Women’s Guild, Women of Color Circle, and the greater BU community. This series taps into the University’s professional, academic, and philanthropic network, and proudly welcomes a variety of voices, experiences, and expertise.
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