|
| |
Black Emphasis Program
The Special Emphasis
Programs are created to improve
recruitment, job retention, and advancement opportunities of minorities, women,
and those with disabilities in the work place. Special Emphasis Programs
promote fairness and equity in the delivery of programs to our customers. They
also help to educate our workforce about diversity among various races, genders,
ethnic, and cultural groups to foster a better understanding and appreciation of
our differences.
February, also called
Black History Month, is a time to honor, cherish, and salute the achievements of
African Americans and to increase the awareness of the fight for civil rights.
In the 1960s, as civil rights activists continued to affirm the importance of
African Americans to American history, Negro History Week became Black History
Month. Carter G. Woodson, the father of black history reminded us that “we
should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history.” He continued,
“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of
the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.” Only then
will we live up to the Nation’s creed of freedom. --Carter
Woodson on founding Negro History Week, 1926
 |
2008
Black History Month Theme:
“Carter G. Woodson and
the Origins of Multiculturalism”
The national theme of this year’s Black History Month recognizes
the “Father of Black History”, Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of
Multiculturalism. During the dawning decades of the twentieth century,
it was commonly presumed that black people had little history besides
the subjugation of slavery. Today, however, it is clear that African
Americans have significantly impacted the development of the social,
political, and economic structures of this nation.
Dr. Woodson
selected the week of February which encompassed the birthdays of both
Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, two giants in the history of
African Americans. Abraham Lincoln, of course, had issued the
Emancipation Proclamation that moved the nation away from slavery, and
Frederick Douglass had been one of the greatest leaders of African
Americans. Symbolically, the selection of Lincoln’s and Douglass’
birthdays as the week to celebrate Black history reflected Woodson’s
belief that the history of African Americans was American history.
The month of February became known as Black History Month in
1976. February is recognized as a time to honor, cherish, and salute the
achievements of African Americans along with the rewards of
multiculturalism.
|
Other Related Links
|
North Dakota Black Emphasis Program Manager
(BEPM) |
 |
|
Christopher L. Davis
Soil Scientist
Bismarck SSO
916 E. Interstate Avenue, Suite 5
Bismarck, ND 58503-0548
Phone: 701-250-4518 x139
Email: christopher.davis@nd.usda.gov |
“There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is
pushing down, the other is pulling up.” Booker T. Washington
< Back to About Us | |
|
About Us
Back to Top