Feb. 1 marks the first day of Black History Month, and Alabama U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) is calling for a continued fight for equality.
“Our nation has made much progress since the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” Sewell said. “We owe it to ourselves, our children, and those who came before us to continue to break down any barriers that divide our society and in its place build new foundations for understanding and reconciliation.”
Originally established as a weeklong celebration by Dr. Carter Woodson in 1926, former President Gerald R. Ford expanded Black History Month into an month-long opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of African Americans – from science and technology to education to business to politics and beyond — in our society.
“This month, we pause to remember and honor the sacrifices the Foot Soldiers of the Civil and Voting Rights movements made in order to make our nation a more equal, just, and fair society,” Sewell continued. “The story of Alabama and the 7th Congressional District cannot be told without remembering those who sought to free our land from racial animosity and discrimination.”
“In keeping with the theme for the 2016 Black History Month is ‘Hallowed Grounds: Sites for African-American Memories,’ my office has been working with local, state, and federal officials to discuss how to best protect and preserve the historic Civil Rights sites across Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Our district is the birthplace of the fight for equality, and we owe it to future generations to preserve this rich legacy.
“We should all commemorate this month by fulfilling the promise of our nation’s democracy, and committing ourselves to uplifting our communities. By standing as one people, one nation, we can bring about change.”
