By Gabriella Rodriguez, Staff Writer

February 12, 2021

When you think of February, you probably think of roses, lots of pink, and sweet couples celebrating their love. Or, maybe you think about Florida and going on vacation. If you’re really quirky, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is Puxatawny Phil.  I think it is fair to say that for the majority of people, you probably don’t think about black history month until you see a small message on some social media platform saying, “Happy Black History month!” 

This isn’t the preface to a long rant. But let’s be honest with ourselves. Black history month is not recognized the way it should be. It’s definitely improved, but it’s not where it should be. I think the biggest issue is the way people may look at Black History Month. It’s not simply a month to celebrate the accomplishments of black people in the past. It’s not just for black people. Black history month is for everyone, just not in the way you would expect.

What I mean by Black History month being for everyone is that it isn’t just black people’s concern. It should continue to be a celebration of black achievements, but it should also be about education. And the responsibility of educating people on black issues and bias should not fall entirely on black people. 

It’s wonderful to recognize the accomplishments of black figures throughout history. But it’s extremely important, if not more important to acknowledge the adversity they faced in order to make a name for themselves. It is important to recognize that black people have had to and continue to have to work twice as hard to earn recognition for their achievements. They have had to prove themselves intelligent, hardworking, and they have had to prove they are essential in their contributions to society. Even when we do get recognition, it’s the shortest month of the year. And while Martin Luther King Jr. was great, he isn’t the only black man to contribute to American society. 

Now, to answer the burning question: why is it so important to reflect on the challenges of black people? Shouldn’t we be focused on the future instead of remaining in the past? The best way I can summarize an answer to that question is this: If we do not collectively make an effort to analyze and educate ourselves about our mistakes, how can we learn from them?

It’s clear that just pretending that MLK’s dream has come true and that racism is a thing of the past hasn’t worked. In 2020, we heard seemingly endless stories of black men and black women falling victims to police brutality. Earlier this month, a 9-year-old black girl was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed by police. Our nation allowed a man who was endorsed by the KKK because they felt he stood for their beliefs, who refused to denounce white supremacists and called them “good people”, questioned the legitimacy of our nation’s only black president, and who repealed a rule meant to enforce the Fair Housing Act to become president. We haven’t learned, and now the divide is greater than ever.

That’s why Black History month is especially important this year for all of us. It’s foolish to say that we are all the same because we aren’t. But we are all humans. We all bleed. We all cry. Even though we may look different or think differently, we are all bonded together. We all have the capacity to feel joy and to feel pain. So why shouldn’t we share one another’s struggles, and show the same compassion that we would expect?

We have a long way to go. It’s not going to be easy, and I know that not everyone will be open to accepting the truth about race relations in today’s society. However, whether it is good or bad, I am an optimist, and I believe that most people are good. I believe that by just acknowledging the significance of black history as a whole versus just celebrating the past achievements and by acknowledging that black history is relevant in today’s society, we will be able to right the wrongs of our ancestors.