This week we asked Sam Cooper what Black History Month means to him:
To me, this month is all about educating and celebrating Black history and Black culture. As we should do every day, this month we show special thanks and appreciation to those who sacrificed and fought for the rights of Black people in America: The ones who fought for our freedom and equal rights, broke barriers, and pushed to make a better tomorrow for All. While there is still so much more work to be done, taking time to learn and thank those for all they have contributed is necessary for the continued growth of OUR country.
As Maya Angelou and so many others have said, "If you don’t know where you`ve come from, you don’t know where you are going."
In my opinion, Black history and culture are so rich and valuable; and to ignore or devalue is a loss to All. Many racial issues originate from the lack of knowledge, respect, and understanding of what it means to be Black in America. This is a conversation that needs to be had and will take longer than ONE month out of a year. Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone to learn and not immediately judge, is a major step in bettering our nation.
As we move forward, I hope that we will start taking the time to learn and better ourselves as humans and not save it once a year because we feel obligated to do so. We must continue to acknowledge and celebrate Black history while continuing the work needed to achieve equality in every segment of society. 0There is no better way to honor our place in society than by reflecting on the past while striving for a better future.