This February marks the beginning of an other Black History Month celebration. All across the country from colleges and universities to public schools, community centers, radio and television, the history of Africans in America and the world will be the subject of lectures, forums, documentaries and household conversation. At least once a year in these United States, there is an intense focus on Black people, and opportunity to examine the historic sojourn of people of African descent from the beginning of recorded time to the present. Unfortunately, far too few Black people are acquainted with Carter G. Woodson, the noted historian who more than any other figure is responsible for what has become Black History Month. Who was this great man and what were his motives for demanding that a period of time each year be set aside to explore the history of people of African descent?

Like so many great figures of his era, Carter G. Woodson was reared in a family where slavery was still fresh in their memories. He was born in New Canton, Virginia in 1875. His father and mother were former slaves. No doubt the stories of the toils and tribulations his parents endured during slavery and the difficulties of life in the segregated South had a pronounced impact on the young Mr. Woodson. For out of these humble beginnings Carter G. Woodson, by force of character and will, would become one of the most influential Black historians of his time, a tireless scholar who viewed the study of Black history as central to the psycho-cultural rehabilitation of the African mind and the reconstruction of African communities.

Armed with a Ph.D. in history from Harvard, Woodson set for himself the task of reframing the way Africans in America looked at themselves, America and the world. In his view, Africans in America, though "emancipated" from slavery, were still in a kind of mental bondage born of the subservience to European history and culture. Commenting on predicament in his provocative treatise "The Mis-education of the Negro," Woodson stated that "no systematic effort toward change has been possible, for taught the same economics, history, philosophy, literature and religion which have established the present code of morals, the Negro�s mind has been brought under the control of his oppressor. When you control a man�s thinking you to do not have to worry about his actions." Hence, for Woodson, the study of Black History was not an esoteric exercise; it was a matter of life and death, the key to resurrection and liberation of a people. Carter G. Woodson was determined to set the minds of Black people free as an essential element in the struggle for liberation.

In 1915 Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which in many respects marked the beginning of the Black history movement in this country. In 1916 he launched The Journal of Negro History, a scholarly publication which quickly gained in influence for its incisive commentaries on subjects related to the historical legacy and contemporary dilemmas of Black people. The annual meetings of the organization he founded, which changed its name to the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History in the closing decades of the 20th century, became an important media for the exchange of information about the African past and future course of Black people.

The author of 16 books, Woodson published what many consider to be his seminal work, "Negro on Our History" in 1922. But it was the establishment of "Negro History Week" in 1926 that is his milestone achievement. Woodson declared that Negro history week was established "for the awakening of American Africans to their heritage." From his vantage point, the content of the week long celebration should include "exercises emphasizing the importance of the African background, the Negro in the discovery and exploration of America, the laborer, the inventor, the soldier, the poet, the artist, the spokesman, the press, the business man, the professional class, the educator and minister." Woodson advocated a comprehensive inquiry into all aspects of the history, culture and circumstance of people of African descent.

Carter G. Woodson�s legacy now lives in what has become a full month of activities in February. As we celebrate Black History Month this year, it is important to refocus on his reasons for pursuing the study of history and culture. Anticipating the modern African centered education movement, he was dedicated to the proposition that it was/is imperative that people of African descent free our minds from the hegemony/dominance of euro-centric history, culture, education and values. Woodson was a proponent of "education for liberation." From his perspective, it would be impossible for Black people to achieve liberation as long as our minds and actions were/are bound by the prism and prison of European history and culture. Therefore, Black History observances should be used to gain the knowledge and information required to advance the struggle for liberation at all levels.

We are deeply indebted to this remarkable scholar-activist who laid the foundation for the modern day celebration of Black History Month. Let us remember Carter G. Woodson, our African Ancestor who devoted his life to liberating our people from mental slavery!