With its origins dating back to 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and later initiated the first Negro History Week, Black History Month has been nationally recognized in this country since Pres. Ford\u2019s official message in 1976. Note that it was Dr. Woodson who selected the initial week in February, as it included the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, each of whom had a central, significant role in the progress of black Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black History Month is a time to remember important people and events. We acknowledge the struggles African-Americans have faced, including the grievous, unprecedented, national stain of slavery. I will never understand a society where such a heinous act of oppression is justified, encouraged or accepted. It’s simply incomprehensible that this was an accepted way of life in so many countries for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for this month, no less, we celebrate the momentous contributions African-Americans have made to the core fabric of our society. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. certainly stands out\u2026 so many more\u2026 Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Arthur Ashe, Simone Biles, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, George Washington Carver, TD Jakes, Lisa Leslie, Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, Condoleezza Rice, Jackie Robinson, Deion Sanders, Priscilla Shirer, Harriet Tubman, Serena Williams, in a mere handful of whom have been especially meaningful to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that the more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to know.\u00a0And… <\/em>how much more there is to learn from people other than me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In both my personal pursuit and outward encouragement to love our neighbor well \u2014 recognizing that our \u201cneighbor\u201d is anyone put in our path \u2014 not just those who act\/think\/look\/vote like us \u2014 I believe in sitting at the feet of others\u2026 listening\u2026 learning\u2026 being still\u2026 offering generous honor and respect. I can\u2019t say it enough; there is so much we don\u2019t know. Said reality should implore our perpetual humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus as I continue to grow via reading, researching, investing in meaningful relationship, one thing that\u2019s become exceedingly clear is how faith has been central to the black experience. There are countless threads woven within the African-American experience, threads that became a lifeline, an incomparable source of strength during the worst of times. I think of Bryan Loritts, pastor, author and founder of the Kainos Movement, an organization committed to seeing the multi-ethnic church become the new normal. He is also an Intramuralist favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the research professionals at Barna Group, \u201cover three-quarters of Black adults (79%) agree that to understand the African American experience, it is necessary to understand the role of religious faith in the lives of Black people. Loritts agrees that this data lines up with his own personal experience, adding, \u2018When you are in a situation where, historically, there\u2019s been a motif of struggle and oppression, Christianity doesn\u2019t just become something nice<\/em> for you. It becomes something necessary.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nice vs. necessary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let us say more\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n “To feel the presence of the Lord is an amazing thing.”<\/em> \u2014 Lisa Leslie<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere’s nothing like faith in God to help a fellow who gets booted around once in a while.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Jackie Robinson<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo this day I believe we are here on earth to live, grow, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom. As a child I learned from the Bible to trust in God and not be afraid. And I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Rosa Parks<\/p>\n\n\n\n This blog is too simple, not enough. We have so much more to learn from other people. This blog is merely a sincere, incomplete encouragement to do so\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nice vs. necessary\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With its origins dating back to 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and later initiated the first Negro History Week, Black History Month has been nationally recognized in this country since Pres. Ford\u2019s official message in 1976. Note that it was … <\/p>\n