Since 1976, the United States and Canada have recognized
February as Black History Month. The
idea to dedicate time to the contributions of African Americans was originated
in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson. His
vision was to increase the awareness of people and communities to the
significant additions African Americans have made to the overall history of the
United States.
His vision has grown since 1926 to include an entire month
where elementary, junior high and high school students take time to learn about
notable figures and accomplishments of African Americans.
Black History Month’s annual celebration has come with its
fair share of criticism. From
questioning the need to dedicate an entire month to a single race to complaints
about the month chosen being the shortest month of the year, the opinions are
as varied as they can be outlandish.
Regardless, the idea to educate ourselves about the
historical influence countless African Americans have had on our country and communities
is with merit. It is a time to dig past
the dates and names to attempt to put yourself in the shoes of a race of people
who have struggled to gain an equal footing in the United States.
Without Black History Month we may be familiar but not as
cognizant of the incredible feats of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Jackie
Robinson, or Maya Angelou. The
contributions African Americans have made to the fabric of the United States
are without question.
Throughout the history of the United States which African
Americans have inspired you and why? The
person you choose can be as recent as Tiger Woods or as old as Frederick
Douglas. They person can be real or
fictional. Which stories resonate with
you? For example, Rosa Parks, Jackie
Robinson, or Muhammad Ali.
There are a couple African Americans that really stand out to me, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. They stood up for what they believed was right, regardless of the punishments from people who went against their ideas. That inspires me to stand up for what I think is right. I think that the story of Rosa Parks resonates with me because she knew she was right not to listen to people who were racist against African Americans. It takes a strong character to stand up for what is right when a lot of other people think otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI think Martin Luther is the African American that sticks out most to me. He stages march on the capital against racism even though he knows the toll may be death. I feel Martin Luther is the one who resembles me most. I of ten struggle to speak out when i notice someone being suppressed repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteThe one of many black people that inspire me is none other than Jackie Robinson. This guy was incredible, he stood up for his rights and didn't let his race shut him out of pro sports. It inspires me because he showed everyone that no matter what happens, stand up for what you love
ReplyDeleteI think it is KOBE BRYANT. Amazing. But that stood up it would have to be Oscar Robinson. he played through tomatoes thrown at him. Daniel you are right Jackie was great also.
ReplyDeleteLebron James by far. He came from a small town in Ohio and now he is making millions and he is possibly one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Rosa Parks, because she did not care what people thought of her. People were yelling at her every morning while she was walking into the school house. When she was in school she was treated differently. I know what it feels like to be a new person. On top of that she did not even know what the people were calling her.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Martin Luther King Jr. stands out the most to me. He led marches and protests and always fought for equal opportunities for blacks in America. In the end, he gave his life for it. The story of how Rosa Parks didn't give up her seat for a white man also sticks with me.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Jr. stands out to me because he was willing to go above and beyond for what he believed in. He new that what he was trying to do would be very hard, and scary, but he kept trying. He knew his strength was to be able to speak out, and that is exactly what he did. Another person that stands out is Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela stands out because even when he went to prison, he still fought non-violently against legalized segregation in South Africa. He would not fight violently even when others around him wanted to. One story that resonates with me is Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks started a bus boycott when she would not give up her seat on a bus to a white person. Her actions were an important part of the Civil Rights Movement. Ruby Bridge’s story also resonates with me, because she was the first black girl to go to a white school. She wanted a good education, and she was willing to go to a white school to get it. Her story helped the civil rights movement along.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Porter, Lebron James had a talent of no other. He came out of a struggled town and is now one of the best. This showed me that if you try you can succeed no matter what the circumstances are or what people think about you. Push through the ones who say you can't and listen to the ones that say you can.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite person to think of during Black History Month is Ruby Bridges. She shows that people of all ages were suffering for their rights. She knew what she wanted in life, but her education did not give her the opportunity to do that. Ruby wanted an education, so everyday without fail, she went to school. Even when the people yelling and screaming at her put a dark skinned doll in a coffin, or hung the doll, or threatened to actually kill her. Jackie Robinson is also very inspiring to me, when I saw the '42' movie last February I found it super inspirational and recommend it to anybody looking for a lifter-upper. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that two of my favorite inspirational African Americans are, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King Jr. Even though both of these people had very many struggles, they fought through them and eventually won. I think the story of Jackie Robinson resonates me because he was being teased by almost every one. The fans, other teams, and even some of his own teammates. He fought threw this and kept plying hard for his team regardless of the environment around him. I have always thought of Jackie Robinson as one of my role models for life.
ReplyDeleteI think Rosa Parks is a person that influenced me to speak out. I think it was very bold of her to ride in the front of the bus and did not give her seat up to a white man. This makes me want to stand up for what is right even if there are consequences. I think it is incredible that she could have been the one to change the U.S.A. forever. I believe That if someone is standing up for something we should stand by them.
ReplyDeleteThe African American's that have inspired me are Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. Both of those girls stood up for what they thought was right, regardless of people laughing and punishing them. These women have inspired me to stand up for what I think is right and to not let other people criticize me or change me opinion. The story that resonates with me the most is the story of Rosa Parks. She was tired of people thinking down on the African Americans and wanted a change. She risked her life to make the African Americans have the same oppertunities as the Americans. That takes lots of courage.
ReplyDeleteThe African American that has inspired me the most is Jackie Robinson. He showed everybody that no matter what the color of your skin is, you can do anything that you want. He walked into a stadium filled with white players and fans. He had a stunning performance. He paved the way for every African American that is playing and has played in the MLB. Te one that sticks to me is Jackie of course. I love to play the game of baseball and he showed me what it is all about.
ReplyDeleteRosa Parks for sure because she was tired of being treated as trash and the white people being treated better. Not to mention at that time and place to do that you had to have some serious as guts to do that in front of public. She also stood up for herself and i think more people should do that.
ReplyDeleteHarriet Tubman has inspired me the most. She showed leadership, courage, and bravery in a lot of different perspectives. She really shows me how i should pursue life. I also think Martin Luther King Jr. is very inspirational and had a real grip on what we should strive for in life.
ReplyDeleteTwo inspirational African Americans that stand out to me are, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King Jr. Even though they both of them had many struggles, they fought through them and eventually won. I think the story of Jackie Robinson inspired me is because he was being teased by almost every one because of his race. The fans, other teams, and even some of his own teammates. He fought threw such a big struggle and didn't let the color of his skin stop home from being in the pros and kept playing hard for his team regardless of the environment around him.
ReplyDeleteI have two people who come to mind when I think of inspirational African Americans. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks both stood up for that was right. When Rosa Parks was demanded to move her seat by a white man, she simply said no. She knew the way her race was being treated was not right. She didn't want to move because she did not want to give the pleasure the whites wanted. Even though the whites sent her to jail, she never gave up. Martin Luther King also stood up for what he thought was right. He wanted all the children and adults to be of the same values and rights. When people told him he was not allowed to tell people about his beliefs, he never backed down. He knew what was right and wouldn't stop until the society changed. Both taught us that standing up for what you believe in was right and to never back down.
ReplyDeleteI have one group of people that stand out to me, and that is the Tuskegee Airmen. They stood up for what the believed in and took a chance. I think they were courageous and very brave in all aspects of life. They showed me that i could do anything i wanted with my life and that taking chances and stepping out of your comfort zone always makes you a better person.
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson has been very inspiring to me. Jackie Robinson has inspired me because he went through so much adversity when he was a baseball player. Jackie Robinson's story resonates me because he had to go through so much adversity ad a player. I can't believe how strong he was not to fight back to all the people that called him rude names. Today he has inspired so many people in the world and in the MLB.
ReplyDeleteMLK has inspired me so much to treat everyone equally. He is a hero to me, and what he did and what he went through is so amazing to me. He really made me stop and think about blacks. If someone was purple I wouldn't treat them any different, so why would I to blacks? I have never even had the thought that blacks aren't equal to us, but MLK really helped me get a perspective on things.
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson inspired me the most because he was an amazing athlete and he was a good sport even when people hated him. I wan to be like him in everything I do I want to be an amazing athlete just like him. I will keep on trying to reach that goal as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks have both inspired me. They both stood up for what they think was right and they let the world know that what it was doing, separating Blacks and Whites, was wrong. No matter what people said about them, they kept on doing what they knew was right. I like how they both, until the end of their lives, tried their hardest on what they think was right. They stopped at nothing to achieve their dream and I think that I why we remember them like we do today. I think that they were so brave to stand up for what they think is right.
ReplyDeleteDr. Martin Luther King Jr. was pretty inspiring. He was able to protest and fight against prejudice people without being violent! It's very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteRosa Parks was someone who I believe in because of standing up for what you think. She was tired from a long day who wouldn't want to sit down. If someone told you, you couldn't then I would be mad. She stood up and said it wasn't fair. She is a great example of saying what you think. She positively spread the news and had people boycott the buses. The buses then said anyone can sit doesn't matter if your black or white. She helps me think of being fair and not giving one side more stuff then another.
ReplyDeleteOprah Winfrey has inspired me the most. She inspires me the most because she helps people go through hard times in their life and she also inspires them to be the best they can be. Rosa Park's story resonates with me because she stood up for her beliefs that everyone is created equal. Also she showed me to have courage and stand up for myself.
ReplyDeleteRosa Parks has inspired me because she stands up for what is right and she never gives up. Even in the toughest times like on the bus Rosa never gave up and she fought for what she new was right. She was always brave and had lots of courage. It took a lot of courage to stand up and fight for herself and the freedom of African Americans. I will always remember what Rosa did for helping end segregation.
ReplyDeleteThe one that inspires me the most is Rosa Parks. She stood up for what was right, no matter what the price was. It was so brave of her to do that and required a huge amount of courage for her to pull that off. Rosa was also a big part in ending segregation. She was the only one up to that point brave enough to resist- in a peaceful way- give up her spot for a white on the bus. That one action caused a chain reaction, making all the difference in the fight to end segregation. Because of what Rosa did, she helped end segregation, and I will always remember that.
ReplyDeleteThe only African American that has inspired me is Michael Jordan. No matter how many times you fail you can always get back on your feet and keep moving forward and always see the light.
ReplyDeleteOne African American that has inspired me is Ruby Bridges. She faced some unimaginable things. She stood up for what she believed in a even though she was young she didn't let that stop her. She proved that no matter how old you can be and do anything. Her life was in danger every day she went to school. She was so incurably brave. She always asked for God's help in every thing she did. It is so amazing to think someone so young to be so brave and courageous.
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson has inspired me because even though no one wanted him to play and no one thought he was good enough he never gave up. He even go beat up and got called names and he still never gave up. One story I remember was that his coach said that he couldn't fight his team mates even if they fought him and so every time they would beat him up he had to hold back and not do anything.
ReplyDeleteRuby bridges was very inspiring to me. She stood up for what she believed in even though people would hate and punish her. She wanted an education and nobody was going to stop her. Even though that was probably incredibly hard she still stayed strong
ReplyDeleteSomeone who stands out to me is Ruby Bridges. She stood up for her rights even if people hated her or said terrible things to her. She helped people stop thinking that there should be schools for white people, who get all the new stuff, and schools for black people who got the hand-me-downs from the white school. One story that I remember is while Ruby Bridges was walking into school, white people were screaming at her that they would poison her food or kill her. Ruby started only eating foods in sealed packages because she was afraid of getting poisoned. She then realized that they couldn't hurt her. And while everyday they yelled at her while she walked into school, she didn't care because she was standing up for her rights.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the most inspirational African Americans that stand out are, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King Jr. Because Even though they both had many struggles, they fought through and with them and eventually succeeded. I think the story of Jackie Robinson inspired me is because he was being teased by almost every one because of the color of his skin. The fans, and even some of his own teammates teased him for the longest time. He fought threw such a big struggle and didn't let the color of his skin stop him from being in the best and kept playing hard for his team regardless of the haters around him.
ReplyDeleteRosa Parks definitely stood out to me in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes I wonder what was going through her head that day. Do you think she knew she was going to be arrested or was there a little piece of her that was hoping not to. She fought for what she believed in. I respect that point of view. She is a very big inspiration to me daily.
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