Black History Month - A History Of Distinction, Part 1

February is Back History Month, and Black History Month 2009 is dedicated to those who made it possible. They are mirrors of our outer and inner selves. One of those was Carter G. Woodson, who in 1926, founded Negro History Week to celebrate what African-Americans had given to the world. From that seed grew Black History Month.

Among other things, Black History Month is about giving our children the tools to accelerate the history we celebrate. The legacy of every black child is our history.

Unfortunately, ours is a culture that often honors mere fame far more than it does hard achievement.

It's a time to acknowledge and recognize the immense contributions African-Americans made to our changing culture. As a result of the defining moment in our history we just witnessed the election of the first African-American President, Barack Obama. So despite our problems there is reason for hope, and one of the reasons for that hope is the fact that we are still here. We are all in the struggle together. We didn't have to be, but we are. Unfortunately, some that would like to have been here have been called away, which underlines the fact that longevity is a precious commodity and life is sweet.

Freedom Lies In Remembering The Past

Perhaps the most precious resource of any people is their history. As part of our salute to the contributions of African Americans, All Access is proud to bring to these commemorative four weeks as we celebrate and depict the continuing legacy of African Americans.

Black History Month is about many things, including our music, which we will focus on in the weeks ahead. But it's also about the people. It's about recognition and it's about time. For all of us, time is taking its toll. Just to survive, most of us have had to keep moving and grapple with unimagined challenges. We've also had to battle with the monolithic majority corporations. The competition has forced us to be stronger. It has spawned a more sophisticated communicator and a more highly skilled executive. Because of both, there is new reason for hope.

The current generation has set up institutions that will continue to benefit them and their children. They plan to grow old and live longer than any other generation. Unfortunately, most of them were not part of the generation that had to deal with the reality of sacrifice.

Often as we get older we say to the younger generation, "Well, it's your turn now." This year, in 2009, we feel a little differently. Rather than just passing the torch and saying we did our best, this generation, which dreamed such big, impossible dreams, refuses to step aside. With the election of Barack Obama, this generation now sees itself as part of a change that they once passionately believed and hoped would come. Now it is a reality, and perhaps in the minds of some, an entitlement.

During the next three weeks we will continue in our proud tradition of recognition by combining our coverage with stories of those whose dreams have been affected by consolidation, downsizing, unemployment, accidents, illness, poverty and simply growing old.

During Black History Month 2009, we will continue to touch on and recognize some distinguished people and events from all sides of our industries. Men and women who have taken the lead in helping to mend the ugly rips in the fabric of society and restore the fragile bonds that so many of us thought we were building. Ordinary people who, just by believing in themselves and refusing to give up or give in, have given back.

Some of those who we want to recognize this year are people whose efforts and contributions have enriched lives and whose sacrifices might have gone unnoticed: There is a chance that this generation may reclaim their earlier legacy. They could have a second coming in terms of social idealism and find new ways to contribute that mean something beyond themselves. In some realms, this new generation already takes pride in what they have bequeathed.

Women, for example, are breaking into many formerly male-dominated fields on a broad new scale, providing expanded options for those who follow. This generation didn't invent the genre, but they were the fans who made it so durable. Even as music remains youth-oriented, today's young record buyers and downloaders couldn't escape the feeling that they wanted something more. They now have to admit that both the performers and the times have changed. The explosion of energy and technology that began in the 90s is just a memory.

History holds many lessons for us in 2009. It reminds us that our past did not just happen. It unfolded naturally like the seasons, or the rise and fall of the tides. History is made by people who bend and shape the present to create the future.

Black History Month allows us to reflect upon the rich history of our culture. It's a culture that conveys from one generation to another its lessons and obligations. Accumulated experiences and sharing of these stories are what Black History Month is really about.

If we are to create a new future for our children and for ourselves, we must take some bold steps and chart a new direction. And then we must do all we can to turn our promises into practice They define our opportunities. To succeed, we need leaders who understand that believing is seeing. We need leaders who are driven to make a difference.

These leaders need us to pay attention. Our ears are the antennas, and our eyes are the windows to our souls, Can you handle the view?

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