The White Falcon - 29.01.1993, Blaðsíða 2

February is National Black History Month
By Maj. Vicki L. Harris,
Black History Month Committee Chairperson
Editor’s Note: This is a first in a series of articles and coverage of
Black History Month. It should be noted that the Department of
Defense has been a leader in the area of equal rights in the United
States of America. Segregation in the Armed Services was abolished
by an executive order of the President in 1948.
February commemorates the month-long celebration of the histori-
cal accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans.
This year’s theme for the Black History Month celebration is
“African-American scholars, leaders, activists, and writers.”
Before we begin our celebration, I want to address a few questions
that continually surround the observance.
The first is why is there a Black History Month observance?
To correct the record of history and clarify true facts concerning the
contributions of African-Americans. Their discoveries, pioneering
efforts, developments, and continuance of America has been willfully
misrepresented in textbooks, media, and other forms of communica-
tion for many decades. In the past, Blacks were intentionally left out
of America’s history books, but in recent years attempts have been
made to correct these deficiencies.
The designation of the month of February each year as Black
History Month is an attempt by the Association for the Study of Afro-
American Life and History, Inc., to remedy this neglect and provide
for all Americans the information needed for creative and empathetic
understanding about Afro-Americans.
Why was February chosen to observe Black History?
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the
Study of Afro-American Life and History Inc., initiated Nej
History Week. Dr. Woodson hoped that this special observi
would remind all Americans of their ethnic roots and that all rac
groups would develop a mutual respect for each others background
and culture.
This later expanded into a full month observance because a week
was not enough time to address the importance and contributions of
African-Americans.
February was chosen because the birthdays of both Fredrick
Douglass, abolitionist, founder of the newspaper Northern Star,
fighter of human rights, and U.S. Minister to Haiti; and President
Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation of
January 1, 1863, which freed some of the slaves. Both of these
Americans fought for the rights of Afro-Americans.
Black History Month celebration is also the springboard for other
ethnic groups celebrating their cultural experiences.
Lastly, what will this observance accomplish?
The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History,
Inc.’s, goal is that one day all Americans will appreciate, accept, and
understand the contributions and exploits of all ethnic groups and that
there will be no need to set aside a special time to acknowledge those
accomplishments for the good of the country.
Unfortunately, that day has not yet arrived and until it does, Black
History Month will continue to be the catalyst to provide the informa-
tion needed about African-American citizens in the United States and
abroad.
I hope the Naval Air Station community will come out and
participate in the activities that the Black History Month Committi
has planned for the month.

The way we were ...
25 years ago ... January 1968
... An increase of 2 cents a day for commuted
rations was approved for military personnel.
The meals at the dining hall were: breakfast,
27 cents; dinner, 60 cents and supper, 45
cents.
... More than 100 earthquakes during a six
month period were recorded in the Reyjkanes
lighthouse area 12 miles from the base. New
hot springs and bubbling mud holes were
formed with surface temperatures of 216F.
20 years ago... January 1973
... A volcano on the island of Heimaey
erupted. Residents, including sheep, were
evacuated as lava and ash burned and/or
buried homes and buildings in Vestmanna-
eyjar. Personnel from the base helped in the
evacuation and clean-up efforts.
... Sailors who wanted to tell their detailers
what their duty preference was got the chance
to by filling in the new enlisted duty prefer-
ence form, called the “dream sheet.”
10 years ago ... January 1983
. .. The Rocky Road Four Wheeler's Club
offered their services to the base for emer-
gency transportation during periods of bad
weather (a service which they still offer to the
base community today).
5 years ago... January 1988
. .. The first results of the Secretary of the
Navy’s study on the progress of women in the
Navy were released. The group of 28, who
were equally divided among male and fe-
male, traveled worldwide to interview 2,500
Navy people. The findings were for histori-
cal perspectives and assessment of policies.
In Memory...
The Naval Computer Telecommunica-
tions Station and the NATO Base commu-
nity extends its deepest sympathy to:
Petty Officer Randall and Mrs. Constance
Cook for the loss of their son, Cameron
Lavante, age, one day, and to Petty Officer
Schaffher andMrs. Rosemarie Lyles for the
loss of their son, Morgan, age, three months.
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Commander, Iceland Defense Force
RADM Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Fridthdr Kr. Eydal
Chief Petty Officer in Charge
JOC Terry J. Bamthouse
Draftsman
DM2 Danielle J. Kim
Editor
J02 Colleen “Ghostwriter" Casper
Journalist
J02 Carlos Bongioanni
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
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