Black History Month is a celebration of the achievements of African Americans in the community. It is celebrated throughout the month of February and is a time for people to learn and embrace the achievements of black people throughout history.
Freshman Amara Grajewski believes that Black History Month is an important time because it gives an elevated platform to discuss the history of African Americans, the struggles they have faced historically, and problems that black people are still facing today.
“A lot of racist acts stem from ignorance and miseducation. Knowledge is a powerful thing, and if you are misinformed or just completely disconnected altogether, the end result is never good,” Grajewski said.
Originally the celebration was called Negro History Week and was created in 1926 by a man named Carter G. Woodson.
When the holiday was created it was just a week long, taking place the second week of February. It was created to encourage public schools to educate students, although it was only embraced by four states.
Presently the holiday is overseen by five countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
There are many ways to get involved during the month. Churches, organizations, and museums hold lectures, rallies, and workshops.
Junior Ja’Kaurie Kirkland helps his grandfather educate people on Black History Month, in hopes to bring change throughout the community.
“I’m looking forward to seeing change in things that can impact not just African Americans but everyone in the world,” Kirkland said.
I believe that Martin Luther King would be very impressed with the steps we have taken as a country to bring about equality in this country. However, although we have done away with institutional racism there are still people whose mindset is not with the program. Racism of any kind should not be tolerated in the United States. That is why I am very disappointed in some of our leadership. Congressman Steve King (R) made some extremely racist comments, and although both republicans and democrats are in an uproar over what he said, he remains in office. The Governor of Virginia was found to have participated in racist events in his teenage years such as dressing up as a KKK member. Despite overwhelming evidence, governor Ralph Northam (D) insists that he did no such thing. He should also be disallowed from holding that office. Most infuriating of all is ILhan Omar (D) how is openly anti-semitic, meaning that she, like Hitler, has and extreme hate for Jews, and has made many comments about how Israel should not be allowed to exist. The worst part… she is on the house FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. Why would we allow racists to represent us to the world? Racism of any kind should be done away with if our country is to move forward. There should be no African Americans, Mexican Americans, Chinese Americans, there should just be Americans. Your race doesn’t change how I think about you, so why should it be in your title? All I need to know is that you are a fellow American and deserve my respect until you prove you deserve other wise.