When is African-American Cotton Pickers Day? This day will take place the 4th Monday of October each year.
What is African-American Cotton Pickers Day? African-American Cotton Pickers Day, on the 4th Monday in October (Cotton Monday), recognizes Americans of African descent who raised and picked cotton during slavery and Jim Crow, which served as the foundation of the development of America’s economic system. It is a day to recognize the history of cotton in West Africa where it has been a part of the culture of African people for many years.
Why is this day being created? African-American Cotton Pickers Day is created to allow all Americans to study, recognize and appreciate the contributions of Americans of African descent to the cotton industry and the impact on the economic, political, educational, religious, and cultural life of America. The 4th Monday is being selected because it represents the height of the cotton picking season when Americans of African descent picked cotton and later were not allowed to go to school until all the cotton was picked in the fields. It is day to recognize how inter-cultural relations were impacted by the cotton industry in America both past and present.
How should this day be celebrated?
In recognition of the day wear something 100 % black and white cotton. Black representing African-Americans and white the cotton they picked.
African-America Cotton Pickers Day should be celebrated/observed in homes, schools, religious and community organizations by recognizing the thousands of named and unnamed Africans in America who raised and picked cotton during slavery and Jim Crow. Participates should research and identify the many institutions and products developed in America and throughout the world as the result of hand picked cotton in America which lasted from the 1830’s to 1960’s. Schools should explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers created by cotton both farming and industrial for todays students particularly African-American students. An important part of this day is also to encourage surviving African-American cotton pickers share their stories.
Theme: Cotton Pickin’ Proud
Song: Cotton Fields (1940) Led Belly
Food: Hoppin’ John with Smoked Turkey
Who created this day? This day was created in October 2020 by Clarence Glover. For more information, reach out to Mr. Glover at (214) 546-3480 or clarencegloverjr@aol.com.
Thank you for your support!