Black History Month: Wicomico NAACP president shares importance and history
Salisbury, MD – February marks the annual celebration of Black History and it’s influence. As we continue to reflect on history, on Tuesday, the president of the Wicomico County NAACP shared the importance of the month and why we celebrate it.
47 ABC sat down with Dr. Brante Dashiell to discuss facts and the impact, not only this month has, but the overall influence African-Americans have had on society today.
Dr. Dashiell shared information on the original formation of celebrating Black History, which was established by a man named Dr. Carter G. Woodson, only designated for one week in February. That week eventually grew into what we now know as Black History Month.
Focusing in more locally, Dashiell emphasized the importance of the Eastern Shore’s history, such as the Salisbury Middle School we know today used to be an all-black high school called Salisbury High School.
Furthermore, she says the importance of this month alone should not be limited to the 28 days in February, but celebrated throughout the year so that we may hold on to what shaped who we are today.
“Every day we should be reflecting on the people who have contributed to our country, to making it a great nation, and more specifically the African-American ancestors and those currently who have contributed and are contributing to excellence which represents who we are in America,” Dashiell said.
“It gives us a time to celebrate, to honor, to reflect on where we have been and where we’re going,” said Dashiell, “and also remembering those who have paved the way before us.”
These messages she is taking with her into the classroom. Dashiell is a Somerset County educator, and she says she encourages her students to be life-long learners, encouraging them to go beyond well-known names like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas. While those people are heavily influential and were front-runners on the path to freedom, she says Black History encompasses so much more that we can learn, only if we try.
She is urging the community to take that same challenge, even after February is over, so that we may learn and grow from the past and how it shapes us today.
“The more we know about one another, the more we love on one another, the more we respect one another, the more we can empathize with one another,” said Dashiell. “So its important that we do have that knowledge not just for black history month but everyday that we learn about a very important culture of people who have made major contributions and continue to make major contributions every day, not just in our nation, but in the world.”
Dr. Dashiell says to celebrate the importance and history this month she is planning socially-distanced zoom sessions with speakers to motivate and reflect on Black History.
Also, you can find short facts and tidbits about Black History and influential people everyday on the Wicomico County NAACP Facebook page.
