What Black History Month Means to Me

Simply put: Black History IS American History. However, since the countless significant and ground-breaking contributions Blacks have made to this country have been overlooked, downplayed, and outright re-written in our history books, it is important that time is taken to enlighten all Americans on what Blacks have meant to this country – well beyond the typical Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks stories.

I look forward to a time where a month is not needed, but instead, those aforementioned contributions are woven appropriately into our school texts and given the attention they deserve. I look forward to a time where Blacks are afforded the equalities and opportunities for success that are inherently given to others in this country.

I am appreciative that the populace is now starting to open its eyes to the inequities and inequalities that have plagued minorities in this country for generations. It is encouraging to see politicians, businesses, and citizens speaking up and looking to join the fight for the rights of all Americans. There is no doubt we have come a long way in these efforts, but we also have a long way to go. I hope that everyone takes a moment this month to learn something new about a figure in Black History and use that knowledge to embrace the fact that we are ALL Americans.