Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month

The month of February has been an annual celebration to recognize the achievements and role of African-Americans in U.S. history.

Here in Medfield, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church is celebrating Black History Month by looking at forgotten or lesser known African-American Unitarian Universalists.

During the month of February, you will see signs posted on the lawn of First Parish highlighting
accomplishments of some leaders.

Becca Kornet, a member of First Parish’s Anti-Racism team, says, “We hope that by highlighting these Black Americans, who happen to be Unitarian Universalists, we will inspire others to learn more about history and have the courage to stand up for racial justice.” Reverend Dave Egan points out that these signs are a result of the educational classes and discussion groups the Anti-Racism team has held to align with local social justice groups. One such group is Medfield Together which, since 2019, has had the goal to “educate, empower and partner with our local community to identify and dismantle systems of inequity in Medfield.”

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling on us to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Every president since then has issued Black History Month proclamations. Some of the national institutions that have joined in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who have struggled include the Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum.