Tallahassee is home to one of the country’s top ranked historically Black universities (HBCU). So we went to the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU) to ask students what Black History Month means to them.
Freshman Eloquence Flowers told us, “It’s really just like a month of pride, especially here at an HBCU, just celebrate our roots and stuff like that.”
“I just feel like Black history is a key part of this country and it should be talked about and represented more,” says third-year student Kendrick Stevenson.
Sophomore Tatiana Brown says, “It’s about a month of support and just loving on one another and seeing each other’s accomplishments.”
Black History Month was officially recognized by the late president Gerald Ford in 1976.
Tallahassee is among the municipalities marking the month with exhibits and celebrations. FAMU hosted the recent Harambee Festival at Cascades Park to celebrate Black art, culture, and music.
We found FAMU Assistant Dean Errol Wilson working an information booth at the festival.
“Intentional steps need to be taken to ensure that all educational information is at our fingertips,” Wilson said. “It’s very important that within the African American community we are taking the charge to teach and educate our youngsters.”
One of those “taking the charge” is Dr. Anthony Thompson, an assistant professor of African American History and United States history at Tallahassee State College. He dives into Black History Month for our weekly program, Speaking Of.
“It’s important to understand that history of where we came from, how we got here, to reconcile with that history,” Thompson says. “It’s not just with Black people to celebrate this history, but all Americans can be embracing this history so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes again. That’s one of the main reasons why anyone studies anyone’s histories.”
The U.S. officially recognizes nine heritage and history months, and Thompson says there is room for all of them.
“If I can celebrate something with you, that means I show some sense of appreciation for you, for your history,” Thompson says. “I might even be able to identify with some of your success and some of your historical struggles, and if I can identify with those things, then I draw more connections with you.”
Hear this entire segment of Speaking Of by clicking LISTEN above.
