Editorial: Black History Month ending, but not work in community
Black History Month 2015 will end in a few days. All month media, organizations and businesses have given tidbits about African-Americans and their accomplishments.
Some people who have been honored are living and some are dead. Some people are well known and others are not as well known. Men and women make the lists of accomplished African-Americans.
Special programs have been presented during Black History Month. Some gave homage to African-Americans from the past. Some offered discussions about African-American life for the future.
Black History Month 2015 also is known for the movie “Selma” and how it has galvanized African-Americans across the nation to make sure young people see the movie to learn about some of their history.
The Voting Rights Act Of 1965 will be 50 years old in August. The movie, which explores the drama surrounding events that led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act, has made African-Americans realize the important accomplishments of the people behind the Civil Rights Movement. The movie also has made them realize that the work in the 1960s must be rekindled because some of the same goals of the establishment to quash the African-American vote back then have been rekindled today.
We know that Black History Month can’t hold most of the many accomplishments African-Americans have made over the centuries. They can’t be dwindled down to a month of recognition, really. Those accomplishments should be recognized year-round.
To that end, The Chronicle will recognize people in the Winston-Salem area in March during a Community Service Awards Banquet. The awards are intended to recognize individuals of any race in the following categories: Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Community Service, Minority Business, Lifetime Achievement, Human Relations and Community Organizations.
Nominations for the awards are closed. The winners will be recognized at the banquet on March 21.
Work in the black community continues after Black History Month, and The Chronicle is recognizing people who are working to make the community better.
