Black History Month. Does it still Matter? 

“Hell Yeah”, Black History Month Still Matters…. When President Gerald Ford expanded Negro History Week into a full month in 1976, he said the country needed to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area throughout our history.” This statement still holds true.

Black History Month affords us the chance to challenge what we learned in history, dig deeper, and find out the actual events of the past that were not taught in schools or portrayed in the media. 

The media tends to showcase the negatives of the Black community, such as poverty, drugs, incarceration, lack of education, etc. These portrayals paint a biased and unfair stereotype in our minds.

Black History Month allows us to learn about, celebrate, and honor Black leaders. Many of these leaders who contributed to the world in the name of science, innovation, and economy were never acknowledged and/or received their honor. Black History Month celebrates and puts their achievements in recognition and mitigates the damage caused by the unfair depiction of Black Americans in the media.

Black History Month is that time for the world to acknowledge key figures from our past and present. It’s an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements that African Americans have accomplished in this country, despite the history of racism and oppression. Black History Month enables us to pause and focus on a more positive narrative of the Black culture where we can see successful Black business leaders, poets, musicians, scientists, philanthropists, and artists. Collectively, we can honor their contributions and transformational impacts on American history.

When we celebrate Black History, we consciously acknowledge the important roles and historical presence of African Americans in the fabric of the United States. To know the African American story and for Black culture to be represented in proper context is necessary and it matters. Story-telling and accurate representation restores value, honor, and diversity to the larger narrative of American history. When we honor Black History, we honor American History.