Saturday, January 28, 2023

Things to Do: Black History Month 2024 (Revised)

                                               We Family Love Daniel Raticliff; Akron Beacon Journal

February is African American History Month in the United States, and this year, in 2024, The American Mastodon Publication would like to help Black America set the narrative. Black History, is not solely for the profit and capitalism by Large American Corporations, but for the education and remembrance of the long history of Africans in America. In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History," and author of The Miseducation of the Negro, initiated the celebration of Negro History Week to correspond with the birthdays of our great Forerunners, Frederick Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, Negro History Week, expanded to the entire month of February. This year, in 2024, we would like to reignite the spirit of commemoration of the African American experience and our Elders. Thus, we would like to challenge all African Americans to plan Family Reunions, Family Brunches, and to redraw Family Trees. We would also like to encourage African American Tours of Black Museums and African American Historical sites across the United States. These are Things to Do: Black History Month 2024

                                                     River Bend Reunion by John Holyfield

1. Plan Family Reunions or Family Brunches (Form Committees in the Family to organize the event & use family, local, & Black businesses to furnish the lodging, event space, decorations, food, and book signing.)

2. Draw Family Trees & create Photo Albums

3. Tour African American Museums and African American Historical Sites (This list does not include a complete list of Museums & Sites. For example, my favorite museum is the National Museum of Black American Music in Nashville Tennessee. Each State has specific African American Heritage Sites, for example, Florida, Fort Moses.

4. Plant Flowers & Tokens at the Cemetery to celebrate your Family Ancestors, who've "crossed over the river." Send your love, pray for their support, and make sure your children know where their loved ones are buried.

5. Attend Black History Festivals & Celebrations

6. Attend African Drum & Dance Class

7. Support Black American Businesses: Make a real effort to spend money within our community, beginning with businesses owned by your own family & friends.

8. Read a novel by an African or African American Author. The AMP Approved List of Short Stories & Novels will be updated continuously.

9. Enjoy African American Films. List will be updated.

10. Join or volunteer for a local African American organization.

The American Mastodon Publication is proud to celebrate Black History Month 2024 and to challenge African Americans to set their own narrative, organize family functions, and to educate themselves on the long experience of Africans in the United States.


Written by Cowan Amaye-Obu

Director Satuye Cultural Arts & Science Coalition/Editor of The Dancing Mastodon Magazine

Sources:

Black Art Depot


                                              Priceless Moments by Dennis Jinguo Dai


                                                               Papa's Girls by Robert Jackson

                                                              Courtin by John Holyfield

Sources:

Carter G Woodson; Association of African American Life & History
Miseducation of the Negro; Carter G Woodson 1936
Frederick Douglas; National Park Service
Abraham Lincoln; White House
Wikipedia Foundation: African American Museums & African American Sites
Things Fall Apart; Chinua Achebe 1958
Southern Belle; Black Business 




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