Birthday celebrations in the Black community are as unique as its people. Some opt to celebrate in an informal and intimate way with family and friends, while others prefer something more grand and spectacular.
Author and former Kentucky poet laureate Crystal Wilkinson wrote an essay about the importance of African Americans birthday celebrations. She writes, “How important it was to mark another trip around the sun.” In her essay, Wilkinson also notes that Frederick Douglass chose a birthdate (Feb. 14), because he had no knowledge of his own birthdate, referencing his 1845 autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.”
He said, “I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday.”
Given the plausibility of Douglass’s observations, it’s little wonder that birthday celebrations for many Blacks have become an imperative over time.
Generations of African Americans were conditioned to sing the traditional “Happy Birthday to You” song, which is a song that can be personalized. “Happy birthday dear___!” But a new tradition was born in 1981 when Stevie Wonder released his musical petition for the MLK Jr. holiday, “Happy Birthday.” Without mentioning a name, including Martin’s, the upbeat, rhythmic chorus continues to make a celebration quite personal and complete.
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Most recently, a social media trend has emerged that involves a harmonic gospel infused singing of the traditional birthday song.
Happy Birthday
It begins with someone other than the recipient pinning a paper bill onto the clothing that indirectly encourages others to follow suit. Depending on the givers, the celebrant could look like they’re wearing a money corsage.
No birthday celebration is complete without the celebratory meal. Whether it’s cooked at home or enjoyed in a restaurant, the celebrant gets to eat their favorite dish and enjoy a delicious dessert. The dessert can be a traditional birthday cake or pie.
Maybe they’ll receive a special treat such as candy. Singing, pinning and eating are three essentials to a festive and memorable Black birthday celebration.
Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and academic researcher focusing on Black history, heritage and culture.
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