By Jake McCarthy, Staff Writer and Website Editor

February 12, 2021

Disease. Protest. Violence. Divergency.

2020 was a year of chaos. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our way of life, taking jobs away from some and lives away from others, 2020 was a time where we needed to work together.

And in this time of unity, we sought disunity.

Injustice. Prejudice. Racism.

Before our very own eyes, we witnessed racial inequities that lay throughout our nation. Before our very own eyes, we witnessed the killing of innocent African Americans Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, prompting more death in a time where it was death we were surrounded by. Before our very own eyes, we were united, disunited, and united again. 

Before our very own eyes, we came together and showed that Black. Lives. Matter.

The Black Lives Matter protest of 2020 represented a civil rights movement. A time where we pushed for racial equity, a principle that is needed in all societies today. With the month of February having approached, it’s important to take what we’ve learned from this year to move forward as we recognize and celebrate Black History Month. 

Before continuing, it’s important to recognize the significance of how this recognition and celebration has developed throughout the years. After the abolishment of the 13th Amendment, Carter G. Woods, a historian and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, established “Negro History Week” to be during the second week of February. As this trend continued, with a variety of cities among the nation recognizing this week, the civil rights movement transformed this week into a month in 1960. In 1976, 38th President Gerald Ford recognized the month and since then, all presidents to take office have recognized February as Black History Month. 

So, in 2021, why is it important to celebrate Black History Month? Well, ranging from the Black Lives Matter movement and protests to the tragic and excruciating acts of racism we’ve faced throughout our nation not only this year but in countless and previous years before, it’s important we all stand together. It’s important we acknowledge diversity. It’s important we recognize Black histories and not dwell on the past, rather remember it and use it to push even further towards racial harmony in the future. It’s important we recognize black excellence and continue to do so. 

In a year where the fight for racial justice was dominant, where we took a stand during a worldwide pandemic, where we came together regardless of the color of our skin, and where we protested against discrimination and promoted justice - 2021 is a year where we must reminisce on our actions and continue this moment towards a more racially equal society. Black History Month is the time more than any other month to engage in this form of reminiscing and truly understand the people's message we are fighting for and the goals we are aiming towards. 

If history has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes, it takes tragedy to truly embrace triumph.