Celebrating Black History Month

The state of Oklahoma has a long and rich history, within which African-Americans have a cemented and important place.
Many African-Americans entered present-day Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears as Indian Slaves. When the Civil War erupted, African-Americans played a significant role in fort-building, fighting, and policing significant boarders from Mexican revolutionaries. After the war ended in 1865, African-Americans were able to live a fairly liberated life in the area that would become Oklahoma in 1907. Encouraged through pamphlets and word-of-mouth, many emancipated slaved joined in Indian land runs. Eventually, African-Americans created twenty-seven all-black towns on ten percent of the Indian Territory. In 1907, when Oklahoma attained statehood, the African-American population was larger than both the Indian and Caucasian populations.
While Oklahoma was never incorporated as an all-black state, African-Americans remain a large part of the state’s history. From the historic “Black Wall Street” on Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa to violent and destructive race riots, Oklahoma has seen a considerable amount of black history play out before its eyes. With this vast history behind us, it is important to reflect on the changes that have taken place, and celebrate the advancements that African-Americans have made within the state of Oklahoma.
One such example of African-American progress can be seen in the life of Jabar Shumate, Representative of District 73 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.




Born and raised in Tulsa, he attended The University of Oklahoma, where he earned his B.A. in Public Affairs and Administration. After working for his alma mater as a press secretary, Representative Shumate soon found his way into the political spectrum. In July 2004, he was elected into the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where his passion for health issues and education could turn into action. Currently, he sits on the Education, Human Services, and Higher Education and Career Tech Committees, while serving as vice-chair for the Children and Families Committee.
Having lived in Tulsa, being of African-American descent and representing the area in which the former “Black Wall Street” thrived, Representative Shumate has a comprehensive understanding of the importance of Black History Month. He states that in order to reap the benefits of celebrating Black History Month, it is vital to see how black history intersects with the overall context of American history. Recognizing the tumultuous past is necessary to celebrate the success stories of prominent African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sooner rather than later Jabar Shumate is a name that will undoubtedly be added to the list.
Truly a man of character and honor, Representative Shumate encompasses the attributes that Black History Month seeks to celebrate. Committing himself to his constituents and the overall Oklahoma population, Representative Shumate has made significant progress in educating others about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through changing his eating habits and exercise routine, Shumate has shed over sixty pounds and set an example for others to do the same. In addition to these actions, Representative Shumate has taken a stand to educate people about the problems of medical insurance, stating that too many people in the state of Oklahoma “have no insurance, are underinsured, or are uninformed” about the realities of health coverage. He encourages his constituents to see doctors early, and regularly in order to prevent the negative financial and bodily effects of undetected medical problems while he works to create changes in the health care system.
Educational issues are also of the utmost importance to Representative Shumate, as he has supported educational reform and improved standards within his own district. By pushing children of every race and socioeconomic standing in an academic setting, success has been recorded. In fact, it is his firm belief that when public schools take into consideration some of the elements that are used to run charter schools (such as accountability standards), the level of education that children receive better prepares them for post-secondary and career success. When the children of Oklahoma receive premier education, the state experiences phenomenal growth within the economy and the number of individuals that are able to remain within the state, and accomplish career aspirations significantly increases. According to Shumate, young, educated, and talented individuals are the future, and will lead Oklahoma to success in the next one-hundred years of statehood and beyond.
Jabar Shumate is a strong democrat that will be representing District 73 until his term expires in 2016. After that, only time will tell what’s in store for him, although one fact remains sure: Representative Shumate will be continually working to serve the public good through his specialized interest in health and educational advancements state and nationwide. So this month, as you reflect on the importance of Black History Month, take a moment to recognize those political players in your area that are not only embodying the role of proper representation, but proving to be strong leaders for the African-American community.

-Nicole Morgan