The Work of Carter G Woodson
By
John C Abercrombie
Carter G Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African-American history. He believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs of America. He believed the study was therefore necessary to become productive citizens of society.
His work and devotion is the reason so many consider him the “Father of Black History”. He launched the celebration of “Negro History Week” in 1926. In 1970, a movement on the campus of Kent State University initiated changes which would evolved into the celebration that we know today as “Black History Month
The initial intent of Negro History Week was that Black History would become widely known and incorporated into main stream history. The celebration of Negro History Week would then be for the sharing of people, places and events we had been learned during the year.
A scholar who spent much time studying Black History, Woodson was convinced that the role of Blacks in history was being largely ignored and what was available was misrepresented to the general public and other scholars. He recognized the need for Blacks and others to study this rich body of work.
Woodson believed the time would come when it would be unnecessary to have Black History Month. A time when all Americans would recognize the contributions of Blacks as an integral part of the history of this country.
Towards the end of organizing the history of Blacks, many outstanding historical researchers have carried on the important work of Woodson.
Regardless of whether it is called Black history, Negro history, Afro-American or African-American history the work has given a profound sense of dignity to All Black Americans and increased the awareness to other groups.
Woodson believed the study of history involved the reasonable interpretation of the facts presented, and that history was more than just reporting facts, political and military records. He insisted that it must include the description and understanding of the social conditions of the period being studied.
In 1915, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. That year he also published “The Education of the Negro prior to 1861”. Woodson continued to publish his work and his “The Negro in Our History” has been reprinted several times. Charles H Wesley reprinted a version in 1950.
Woodson was a prolific researcher and writer. In 1916 he began the “Journal of Negro History” which has been renamed the “Journal of African American History and continues to be published today. It is published by the Association for the Study or African American Life and History”. *
Woodson also had a strong belief that education and increasing social and professional contacts among Blacks and Whites could reduce racism. He organized the study of African-American History for that purpose. This work led to the formation of “Negro History Week” in 1926.
There are many comments made about February being the chosen month for Black History Month. The truth of the matter is that Woodson chose a week in February due to the birth of 2 important people in the history of Blacks. President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln who was president when the slaves were freed at the end of the American Civil War. President Lincoln was born February 12. Civil Rights advocate Frederick Douglass who was also born in February. Negro History Week was celebrated until a movement by Kent State Students broadened it and transformed it into Black History Month in 1970.
Woodson was a voracious reader and researcher. He uncovered many examples where, afforded the opportunity at academic achievement, Blacks excelled. Contrast this to the many laws that criminalized the education of Blacks. In many states, it was a crime to teach any Black either slave or free to read or write. These laws were not based on their inability to learn, but a way of controlling and limiting their ability to make their own way in society.
It was also against the law to help any Black escape the cruel and dehumanizing practice of slavery, even if you disagreed with the practice. These laws wee known as The Fugitive Slave Laws. The failure to help capture and return a fugitive to slavery could result in criminal charges against you.
During the days of slavery, junk science reigned supreme as there was even a condition known as drapementonia* which indicated that it was a mental condition for a Black to even want to be free, yet the condition of wanting to be free in Whites was normal and highly praised.
Many Blacks were highly skilled craftsmen and artisans yet there is little written about them. Laws prevented them from patenting their inventions. The positive aspects of their work is not given credit.
In times of war, Blacks have distinguished themselves in every war. Yet they have had to fight for the ability to even get on the battlefield. Blacks have served in the American Revolutionary war and every war that this country has entered, with little credit or mention.
Academic achievements are almost completely ignored. Yet there are many. There are many reasons for the void in recognition. Schools are a major source of income for the authors of history books. The mere mention of Black achievement is controversial and educational boards do not select controversial books. Thus, it is economic suicide for historical authors to bring attention to positive achievements on the part of Blacks.
Woodson believed that education could raise the standing of Blacks and increasing social and professional contacts between Blacks and Whites would reduce racism. He believed in self-reliance and racial respect. Woodson was ostracized by some because of his insistence on defining a category of history related to ethnic culture and race.
Those who disagreed with Carter did so on the basis that African-American history should be a part of general American History. Carter did not completely disagree with them as he envisioned a day when African-American history would be incorporated into general history, however this had not happened up to the time of the disagreement and in many respects has not happened to this day.
Let us look at what was happening at the time that affected Carter’s thinking. Contrary to popular opinion, most White people did not own slaves, and many had limited contact with them. So, what were the prevailing views?
- Many people formed their opinion of Blacks based on limited contact and no factual knowledge
- Minstrel shows which featured White actors with burnt cork on their faces and exaggerated features making fun of Blacks, portraying them as dumb, without courage and in general undesirable persons.
- General stories that portrayed Blacks as less than human. There were even medical doctors who refused to administer any form of pain relief when performing surgery, claiming that Blacks don’t feel pain, yet having to have assistants hold the patient down
- Many believed that despite the wailing and moaning when children were sold away from their mothers, that Blacks don’t grieve
- Despite the fact that given the opportunity to read and write, Blacks excelled’ Laws were on the books and enforced that prevented anyone from teaching them to read or write
- There were even laws on the books and enforced that made it a crime to compete in any sport or game with a person of a different race
- Black Codes and Jim Crow laws were written that prevented Black citizens from having equal protection under the law
- Thousands of Blacks were hanged, based merely on a charge with no trial. As a footnote on this subject, there is now a Museum to Hanging *
Woodson was very devoted to his work and in 1915 wrote “The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861”. This was a scholarly work and contains takes a detailed look at the education of the Negro. This book is often overlooked as Woodson is better known for the book “The Mis-education of the Negro which he wrote in 1933.
Also, in 1915, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro life and History. The association encouraged scholars to study Black History. Before the formation of the association Black history was mostly neglected and what was reported was distorted and based on the commonly accepted perceptions of Blacks as noted above.
In 1916, Woodson launched “The Journal of Negro History”. That publication today is known as “The Journal of African American History.
In 1918, he published “A Century of Negro Migration”.
Also, in 1918, he became the principal of Armstrong Manual Training School in Washington, D.C.
In 1919, he became the Dean of Howard University’s School of liberal Arts
Woodson continued this amazing pace until his death, April 3, 1950 at the age of 74. At that time, he was working on a projected six-volume Encyclopedia Africana.
Important works by Woodson include the widely consulted college text The Negro in Our History(1922; 10th ed., 1962); The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861 (1915); and A Century of Negro Migration (1918). He was at work on a projected six-volume Encyclopaedia Africana at the time of his death.
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A Century of Negro Migration:
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