Madison, WI Header
File #: 63929    Version: 1 Name: Recognizing February 2021 as Black History Month in the City of Madison.
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 1/27/2021 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: 2/2/2021 Final action: 2/2/2021
Enactment date: 2/4/2021 Enactment #: RES-21-00087
Title: Recognizing February 2021 as Black History Month in the City of Madison.
Sponsors: Sheri Carter, Syed Abbas, Satya V. Rhodes-Conway, Christian A. Albouras, Samba Baldeh, Shiva Bidar, Tag Evers, Grant Foster, Keith Furman, Barbara Harrington-McKinney, Patrick W. Heck, Zachary Henak, Rebecca Kemble, Lindsay Lemmer, Arvina Martin, Max Prestigiacomo, Marsha A. Rummel, Paul E. Skidmore, Michael J. Tierney, Michael E. Verveer, Nasra Wehelie
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsWatch
2/2/20211 COMMON COUNCIL AdoptPass Action details Meeting details Not available
1/27/20211 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS  Action details Meeting details Not available

Fiscal Note

No appropriation required.

Title

Recognizing February 2021 as Black History Month in the City of Madison.

Body

WHEREAS, to commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago; and,

 

WHEREAS, the event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14); and,

 

WHEREAS, that week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month; and,

 

WHEREAS, February 2021 Black History Month’s theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”, returning to its roots with a new focus on black family ties; and,

 

WHEREAS, the theme for 2021 explores the wide-ranging diversity of black family life -- from single to two-parent households to nuclear, extended and, more recently, bi-racial; and,

 

WHEREAS, throughout black history, factors such as slavery, inequality and poverty have put pressure on maintaining family ties, when a better life meant traveling far from home as evidenced in 1848; and

 

WHEREAS, when Wisconsin became a state, black families started to arrive in Madison as free individuals looking for the pursuit of economic opportunity and a new life; and,

 

WHEREAS, this may certainly be the reason why family reunions have always remained popular within the African American community, as meetings of far-flung relations take place each year with a joyful exchange of memories, photos and storytelling; and,

 

WHEREAS, economic pressures that may pull black families apart also often unite them against prejudice and bigotry, many black families may pool resources or find job opportunities, or simply find emotional comfort within their own micro-community - in that respect, "brothers" or "aunties" may be good friends or neighbors who simply qualify for the title; and,

 

WHEREAS, many black families have strong roots in the Madison community that exhibit an unwavering understanding of the value of family as an incomparable source of comfort, strength, and even survival,

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Madison Common Council recognizes February 2021 as Black History Month in the City of Madison; and,

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the city encourages the celebration of this month by inviting all residents in the city to learn more about African American family history to better understand the experiences of African Americans and how they have shaped our nation.

 

Source: https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/