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Story
February 13, 1955
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Commentary by William H. Page praising Dr. Hylan Lewis's speech at Atlanta University on the necessity of studying Negro history to address historical exclusions and promote balance, referencing Jewish history, American settlement, and the AME Church's origins.
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Full Text
Says Dr. Lewis Had A Fitting Answer
Dr. Hylan Lewis of the Sociology Department of Atlanta University gave a fitting answer to the oft-repeated question: Why study Negro History or Why observe Negro History Week?
His speech should reach every community in America. It is tragic when people tell you not to teach Negro History when at the same time so-called American historians are ignoring you. I say so-called American historians, because it is impossible to write an objective scholarly history of America and almost entirely leave out the life and work of 15,000,000 of its citizens. Unfortunately that has been the case. It is getting better. of course. but the need for a study of Negro history is still with us as Dr. Lewis indicated.
History reveals that any people who are denied the basic essentials in a civilization, who are ignored or kept out of any phase of life will in some way attempt to redress the balance. The Jews were forced to do it 2,000 years ago when they were isolated from almost everything. The people who first settled this great country of ours felt that they had been mistreated in Europe; so, they came here to start a country of their own.
The AME Church came into being as a protest to segregation in the Methodist Church. In fact, it was probably the vanguard in the move against segregation in religion in America.
So then Professor Hylan Lewis is. to be applauded for his timely speech on the reasons why we observe Negro History Week.
WILLIAM H. PAGE
Dr. Hylan Lewis of the Sociology Department of Atlanta University gave a fitting answer to the oft-repeated question: Why study Negro History or Why observe Negro History Week?
His speech should reach every community in America. It is tragic when people tell you not to teach Negro History when at the same time so-called American historians are ignoring you. I say so-called American historians, because it is impossible to write an objective scholarly history of America and almost entirely leave out the life and work of 15,000,000 of its citizens. Unfortunately that has been the case. It is getting better. of course. but the need for a study of Negro history is still with us as Dr. Lewis indicated.
History reveals that any people who are denied the basic essentials in a civilization, who are ignored or kept out of any phase of life will in some way attempt to redress the balance. The Jews were forced to do it 2,000 years ago when they were isolated from almost everything. The people who first settled this great country of ours felt that they had been mistreated in Europe; so, they came here to start a country of their own.
The AME Church came into being as a protest to segregation in the Methodist Church. In fact, it was probably the vanguard in the move against segregation in religion in America.
So then Professor Hylan Lewis is. to be applauded for his timely speech on the reasons why we observe Negro History Week.
WILLIAM H. PAGE
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Biography
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Negro History Week
Historical Exclusion
Redress Balance
Ame Church
Segregation Protest
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Hylan Lewis
William H. Page
Where did it happen?
Atlanta University
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. Hylan Lewis
William H. Page
Location
Atlanta University
Story Details
Dr. Hylan Lewis delivers a speech explaining the importance of Negro History Week, highlighting how ignored groups seek to redress historical balances, with examples from Jewish history, American settlement, and the AME Church's protest against segregation.