Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto recognized Black History Month with a mayoral proclamation during the city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
At the meeting, DePinto said Black History Month is a testament to generations of Africans who were brought to America and enslaved. He said over time, African Americans have faced daily adversity and were galvanized by the promise of freedom, all while striving for equality. African Americans have exercised strength through pride and patriotism, DePinto said, while oftentimes being nagged by the promises guaranteed in the United States Constitution.
“The actions of African Americans are essential in the formation of American society in accomplishing civic, economic, professional, medical, scientific, military and artistic excellence,” DePinto said. “The collective actions of Black Americans have inspired people of all backgrounds to pursue noble causes and dreams.”
DePinto said Black History Month is a time to acknowledge and observe Black history, all while remembering those who have “paid the ultimate sacrifice.” He added that Black History Month echoes the call for equality to future generations and is essential for the formation of a more perfect union.
Black History Month is celebrated throughout all of America. Carter G. Woodson launched the first iteration of the event under a different name on Feb. 7, 1926, in order to allow for a deeper, extended study of African American history.
Woodson selected February because it encompassed the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who both played a strong role in helping shape Black History Month. At that time, Woodson hoped the week-long event would be used by Americans to learn more about the history of African Americans.
Fifty years after Woodson celebrated the first history week in 1926, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month.
“In celebrating Black History Month, we can take satisfaction from this recent progress in the realization of the ideals envisioned by our founding fathers. But even more than this, we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history,” President Ford said on Feb. 10, 1976. “I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.”
