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Galesburg NAACP looks to the past and future with Black History Month

February has been designated Black History Month every year since 1976.

Doc Patterson, President of the Galesburg chapter of the NAACP, recommends Galesburg residents utilize reading materials online to familiarize themselves with black history and traditional African-American holidays like Kwanzaa and Juneteenth.

He tells WGIL the local branch of the organization works to promote American history but is involved in getting out front on issues of the day.

“We have been very focused on contemporary issues,” Patterson says. “One thing I can say about our chapter is we’ve never been reactive. We’re very proactive in working with our community leaders and politicians.”

In line with the NAACP’s objective to fight for “equality of rights of all persons”, Patterson sees Black History Month and the work the group does every month as one of uniting people.

“Our chapter here in Galesburg is very diverse. We want to keep that celebration of our differences not celebrate why we’re different,” Patterson says.

Black History Month began being nationally recognized after 50 years celebrated as Negro History Week.

The reason for the choice of February was because it is the month of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays.

The Galesburg NAACP will also hold their annual Freedom Gala at 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Knox College Lincoln Room.

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