National Black Family Month

By Jade Henry
FWIS Youth Writer

Usually when people think of July, the first thing that comes to mind is the Fourth of July, but the holiday is not celebrated by many African Americans. Although the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, promising liberty and independence, many Black people were still slaves for many years. True freedom for enslaved African Americans did not occur until much later. 1863 was the year president Lincoln declared the slaves to be free which was called the Emancipation Proclamation. However, slaves in Texas were not aware of their freedom until 2 years later in 1865. Because of the complex history of slavery and injustice in the United States, some Black Americans view the Fourth of July with mixed sentiments and choose not to celebrate the holiday but have chosen to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19th.

For people of African American descent, the Fourth of July is not the only event that can be celebrated in July, an alternative being National Black Family Month which was founded in 2006. National Black Family Month promotes and strengthens Black families through education, health, and self-improvement. The primary goal of National Black Family Month is to highlight the significance of Black families and promote their well-being.

July is often used to plan family reunions and to engage in activities that will strengthen family bonds. Families are encouraged to engage in activities that build relationships, such as game nights, picnics, and sharing meals. It is imperative to spend quality time with loved ones because personal interactions are always more impactful than a simple phone call. Use your phone to create a video and record your conversation for lasting memories.

In conclusion, create a new tradition now by making plans to celebrate National Black

Family Month in July. Create unique family activities that commemorates and celebrates your culture and your heritage!