DR. CARTER G. WOODSON

Historian, Author, Journalist, “Father of African-American History”

WOODSON QUOTE

“It is important for a people to know their race’s contributions to humanity.”

What did he mean?

EARLY LIFE (1875-1950) Son of former slaves Father helped Union

soldiers Father moved family

to W. Virginia, heard there was a high school for blacks

Carter worked in mines

Attended school in spare time

EDUCATION Received his high

school diploma at age 20

B.S.- Berea College, KY

Masters – University of Chicago (1908)

Ph.D in History – Havard

Only 2nd African American to earn Harvard Degree

Who was the first?

1st college in South to coed & integrated, every student receives a scholarship.

University of Chicago

Harvard Canteen

CAREER AS AN EDUCATOR High School Teacher

in Washington, D.C. Principal School supervisor in

the Philippines College Professor at

Howard University

“AFRICAN AMERICAN PAST MUST BE RESEARCHED!

“African American contributions to U.S History were ignored, overlooked, and suppressed”

Urged for research Highlighted the achievements of great African

Americans Activist - "I am not afraid of being sued by white

businessmen. In fact, I should welcome such a law suit. It would do the cause much good. Let us banish fear. We have been in this mental state for three centuries. I am a radical. I am ready to act, if I can find brave men to help me”

Too radical even for the NAACP, he cancelled his membership with them,

HE HIGHLIGHTED GREAT AFRICAN AMERICANS

Benjamin Banneker – laid out city of Washington, D.C.

Crispus Attucks – 1st martyr of American Revolution Phillis Wheatly –

Early American Poetess

W.E.B. Dubois (William Edward Burghardt) – Activist, Writer, Historian, Educator, Founder of NAACP

George Washington Carver – Scientist, Botanist, Educator, Inventor

Booker T. Washington – Educator, Founder of Tuskegee University

WOODSON’S OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS Founded the Association for the Study

of Negro Life and History (1915) Journal of Negro History (1916) Began Negro History Week (1926) ,

which led to Black History Month (1976)

ASALH WEBSITE – WWW.ASALH.ORG

Association for the Study of Negro Life and History

FACED GREAT CONTROVERSY Ostracized from African American

leaders and educators “Should there be a separate history?” Many felt it unnecessary. “Blacks were just Americans of a darker

color, but Americans all the same, with the same general history.” (Woodson’s critics)

What do you think?

WOODSON HELD TO HIS CONVICTIONS Collected and preserved

extensive African American History

Wrote several books. Convinced that it is

crucial that a people know of their race’s contributions to humanity!

In a paragraph explain why such knowledge is so crucial.

Woodson, honored in Kentucky