“Retelling The Story: Behave Better”

February is Black History Month. The origin of Black History Month is traced back to Carter G. Woodson, the man known as the “father of Black History Month.” Despite being a descendant of enslaved people, Woodson became the second African American to obtain a Ph.D. His thirst for knowledge and understanding included learning more about his heritage and people. However, he quickly discovered there was a lack of primary materials relating to African Americans in both libraries and archives. Woodson worked to bridge the gap and supply Blacks with a record of their rich and invaluable history. He started the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH). In 1915, he founded The Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he announced the first Negro History Week. In 1940, realizing that the study of Black history could not be confined to a mere week, Woodson pushed to have  African American Week be an extended event. Unfortunately, in 1950, Woodson suffered a fatal heart attack. However his legacy, work, and desire lived on in the spirit of those who advocated for the civil rights of Blacks during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1976, the Association of the Study of African American Life and History used the 50th Anniversary of the first Negro History Week to shift to being what is now known as Black History Month.

We can draw several implications from Woodson’s life and contribution to Black history. First, until the 20th century, African American history was highly ignored by others as though it was not significant, rich, or valuable to those who could benefit from learning it. Even though African American history was often omitted or misrepresented, God worked through Woodson to overcome the many years that Black history was undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. Another implication we can draw from Woodson’s story is that African Americans need to tell their story and not allow it to be perverted, abandoned, and defiled in an effort to ease the discomfort of others. Annie Lamott said, “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should’ve behaved better.”

I would have to agree with Lamott’s assertion. During discussions about Critical Race Theory (CRT), some people are laser focused on removing books that contain African American history because it may offend the descendants of those who perpetrated inhumane acts toward Blacks. This makes Lamott’s words all the more essential, powerful, and relevant in these moments. It is not African Americans’ fault that many slave masters did not behave better toward enslaved Blacks. It is not African Americans’ fault that racist groups like the Klu Klux Klan did not behave better. It is not African Americans’ fault that police officers did not treat Blacks better and value their lives equal to others during the Jim Crow era. It is not African Americans’ fault that the US judicial system has incarcerated African Americans at a higher percentage rate than other races. It is not African Americans’ fault that Blacks were denied fundamental rights extended to other US citizens for hundreds of years. It is not African Americans’ fault that Blacks were treated as second-class citizens who had to use a non-violent movement to secure civil rights and voting rights in the US. Thus, as African Americans tell their story, if anyone gets offended, the resolution should be: “someone should have behaved better.” I would add that when the descendants of the perpetrators read African American history, they should embrace the history and dedicate their lives to behaving better. Additionally, reading Black history should also cause African Americans to behave better toward one another as well.

No matter your race, nationality, or ethnicity, all are created imago Dei (“in the image of God” [Gen. 1:27]). Since we are created imago Dei, we are mentally, morally, and socially like God. God created us with the ability to reason (mentality). He embedded in each person a moral compass that helps us know right from wrong (morality). Since God is a community of three, He created us to be like Him and live in community (socially). When you understand the priceless history and divine imprinting God has placed on our lives, it should help promote better and lasting relationships between those who also know and understand the significance of all persons. God expects us to behave in ways that please Him and bring glory to His name (1 Cor. 10:31). We should never forget these two words: “Behave Better.”