The Sparta Township Council proclaimed February Black History Month at their meeting on Tuesday. This is the first time in at least a decade the township council has made this proclamation, according to minutes posted on the township website.

The proclamation read by Sparta Mayor Christine Quinn at the start of the meeting said the recognition was part of Sparta’s “commitment to recognizing and honoring the contribution of all members fo the community.”

According to the proclamation, Black History Month “grew out of an effort to give a balanced and objective scholarly perspective of the contributions of African Americans” in this country and abroad.

Because a number of prominent Americans who impacted the lives of Black Americans were born in February, including Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, W.E. DuBois and Langston Hughes, this month was chosen for Black History Month, according to the proclamation. The recognition started as Black History Week and was expanded to a full month in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial.

Finally, the proclamation calls for all residents of the community to renew their commitment to ensuring racial equality, understanding and justice for all and their efforts to advance the cause of equality for every person regardless of race, creed or religious preference creating a world that is more just, peaceful and prosperous for all.”

The lights on the front of the municipal building have been changed to red, yellow and green to commemorate the proclamation, as has been done for other township recognitions.

Source: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newton/sections/government/articles/sparta-township-council-recognizes-february-as-black-history-month?fbclid=IwAR2-uYEdE-OJ3DVjyuUodp4xys1mEmocosxFNT9mke7rx0fK4dRp8ACX_dM