Black History Month in Virginia
Governor Glen Youngkin gave a proclamation acknowledging February as Black History Month (per Virginia.gov). As an African American, I am thankful that today a variety of notable contributions are spoken of and not the same names each year.
When my children were in elementary school they only heard about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks in February. When my youngest was in 5th grade at Crystal Spring Elementary there was a contest for the best essay.
Dr. King and Rosa Parks dominate
He wrote about Lonnie Johnson an engineer who invented the super soaker. I thought my son’s essay would win because it was different and brought something new, but I was wrong.
The winning essay was about Dr. King and the runner-up wrote about Rosa Parks. Don’t get me wrong they have their place in history but there is so much more to Black History.
African American Heritage Month across Virginia
This is why I was glad to see that across the Commonwealth February activities are varied. Danville plans to expound upon African American Education in the area and Princess Ann County will give details of how Blacks in the area built their own schools.