Thurston County and Olympia both recognized the Black community by proclaiming February African American History Month and Black History Month, respectively, during the separate county commissioners and the city council meetings last February 7.
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially recognized the continued efforts of African Americans “to resist “historic and ongoing oppression in all forms,” while Olympia City Council honored the contributions of organizations, families and individuals of African American descent in enriching Olympia's history.
Civil rights advocate Dr. Thelma Jackson attended the board’s public meeting on Tuesday, February 7, to receive the proclamation.
“Black history is American history and world history,” said Jackson. “But it's not included as such. We look forward to the day that that will no longer be the case.”
Jackson said the month of February should be dedicated as a “time to pause” to put into perspective the “gruesome journey of our forefathers who survived the atrocities, the brutal treatment, the discrimination, the loss of lives, the inhumane treatment for centuries.”
“Our contributions to the making of America is still not fully recognized in this country,” she added.
Meanwhile, Olympia’s proclamation stated that "The history of the City of Olympia would be far less rich and diverse without the contributions of Olympia's African American residents such as Rebecca Howard, the beloved 19th Century entrepreneur, who owned and managed the popular Pacific House in downtown Olympia."
"The community acknowledges the systemic racism perpetuated by individuals and the nation's government through slavery, segregation, mass incarceration, police brutality, and economic disparity,” Olympia added.
Olympia’s proclamation said that the observance of Black History Month "demands attention to the continued need to dismantle racism and build a community that lives up to its democratic ideals."
In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, a noted black scholar and son of formerly enslaved people, founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. He initiated Black History Week on February 12, 1926.
Black History Week was expanded and established as Black History Month in 1976. It is now celebrated all over North America.
Events
Jackson invited the public to visit the Black Museum at the Morris Fellowship Hall this month, where there will be a panel discussion on equity and inclusion on Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 pm.
Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby announced that Olympia would partner with the Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture and the Olympia School District to host three public events that explore and celebrate Black History this month.
Olivia Salazar-de Breaux , Olympia's Equity, Inclusion and Belonging specialist for the Parks Department, said they expanded this year's celebration to three days:
February 16
February 17
February 18
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