Every February, the US observes Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions, experiences, and achievements of African Americans. The tradition began in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson proposed a national week to promote the teaching of Black history in schools. He deliberately chose the second week of February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures held in high esteem by the Black community for their roles in ending slavery. In 1976, the initiative expanded into a month-long observance, with then US president Gerald Ford urging Americans to acknowledge the accomplishments of Black citizens often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Today, Black History Month includes a wide range of public events, educational programs, and cultural exhibitions. Museums highlight African American artists and innovators, while libraries showcase works by Black authors, poets, and historians. In classrooms, students explore the civil rights movement and the Harlem Renaissance, as well as contemporary Black voices in science, politics and the arts. Television networks and streaming platforms feature documentaries and films that celebrate Black heritage, and national institutions like the Smithsonian organize special lectures and performances. Each year also features a specific theme. In 2026, as the observance marks its 100th anniversary, the theme invites reflection on a century of stories, creativity, and progress shaped by African American communities.
Although Black History Month originated in the US, its impact reaches beyond American borders. It invites people worldwide to ask difficult but necessary questions: Whose stories are told in our classrooms? Whose voices are missing from our textbooks? For students in Taiwan, engaging with Black History Month can offer insights into how history is constructed and who gets remembered. Learning about the past is not merely about understanding others; it sharpens our awareness of justice and encourages critical thinking about the world we live in.
Photo: Freepik / 照片：Freepik
每年二月，美國都會慶祝黑人歷史月，這是一段專門用來認識非裔美國人貢獻、經歷與成就的時間。這項傳統始於西元 1926 年，當時的歷史學家卡特．G．伍德森提議設立一個在學校教授黑人歷史的國家週。他特意選在二月的第二週，以紀念亞伯拉罕．林肯與弗雷德里克．道格拉斯的生日，這兩位重要人物因在結束奴隸制度中所扮演的角色，而在黑人社群備受尊崇。西元 1976 年，這項倡議擴大至為期一個月的紀念活動，時任總統傑拉德．福特呼籲美國人民認可那些在主流敘事中常被忽略的非裔美國公民的成就。
如今，黑人歷史月涵蓋各式各樣的公共活動、教育課程與文化展覽。博物館重點介紹非裔美國藝術家與創新者，圖書館則展示黑人作家、詩人與歷史學家的著作。在課堂上，學生們探討民權運動和哈林文藝復興，還有當代在科學、政治和藝術領域中發聲的黑人人物。電視聯播網與串流平台會推出紀錄片與電影以慶祝黑人文化傳承，像史密森尼學會等國家機構則會舉辦特別講座與表演。每年還會有一個特定的主題。西元 2026 年，黑人歷史月迎來 100 週年紀念，該年度主題將引導人們反思一個世紀以來由非裔美國社群塑造的故事、創意與進步。
儘管黑人歷史月起源於美國，其影響力已超越美國邊界。該活動激發全球各地思考一個重要但艱難的問題：我們的課堂上講述的是誰的故事？在我們的教科書中，誰的聲音被遺漏了？對臺灣學生而言，參與黑人歷史月可以帶來啟發，去理解歷史是如何被建構的以及誰會被銘記。學習歷史不只是為了理解他人；更能提升我們對正義的察覺，並鼓勵我們對所處的世界進行批判性思考。
KEY VOCABULARY
1. dedicate vt. 奉獻；投入
dedicate A to B 將 A 獻給 B
The volunteers dedicated their weekends to cleaning beaches and raising public awareness of environmental issues.
這些志工把週末時間奉獻給淨灘與提高公眾對環境議題的認識。
2. deliberately adv. 故意地
The actor deliberately paused before answering the question, creating suspense for the audience.
那位演員故意在回答問題前停頓，為觀眾營造緊張感。
3. esteem n. 尊敬；敬重
hold sb in (high) esteem 尊敬某人
The professor is held in high esteem by both students and colleagues for her dedication to education.
這位教授因其對教育的投入而受到學生與同事們的高度尊敬。
4. slavery n. 蓄奴制；奴隸身分
Slavery was one of the darkest chapters in human history, leaving long-lasting social effects.
奴隸制度是人類歷史上最黑暗的章節之一，並留下長遠的社會影響。
5. acknowledge vt. 認可
It’s important to acknowledge the efforts of others when working on a group project.
在團隊合作中，認可他人的努力是很重要的。
6. documentary n. 紀錄片
The documentary offered a rare look into the lives of people living in remote mountain villages.
這部紀錄片提供了對偏遠山區居民生活的罕見一瞥。
7. institution n. 機構
The financial institution faced criticism for not protecting its clients’ sensitive information.
這家金融機構因未保護客戶敏感資料而受到批評。
8. insight n. 深刻見解；洞察力
After years of experience, Harold gained valuable insights into managing a business under pressure.
經過多年經驗，哈洛德獲得在壓力下經營企業的寶貴見解。
9. sharpen v. 提升；加劇；使鋒利
To compete globally, students must sharpen their communication and problem-solving skills.
為了在全球競爭，學生必須提升溝通與解決問題的能力。
MORE INFORMATION
showcase vt. 充分展示
civil rights movement
非裔美國人民權運動（20世紀中期非裔美國人爭取平等權利、反對種族歧視的社會運動）
Harlem Renaissance
哈林文藝復興（一場主要發生在1920年代的文化運動，促使黑人音樂、文學和藝術得到廣泛認可）
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