The month dedicated to black history has come to an end, but there still is and always will be black history.
In 1915, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This organization sought to research and promote accomplishments made by African Americans.
Beginning in 1926, in the second week of February, the organization sponsored a national Negro History week. During this week, they encouraged schools and communities to celebrate black history. They inspired them to create history clubs, hold lectures, have performances and countless other activities to celebrate the lives and work of African Americans.
In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month and every president since has done the same.
While acknowledging a mere month for black history was not done maliciously, today the month holds many negative connotations. Throughout this year’s Black History Month, there were people on social media showing their disapproval in different ways, including the hashtag “#28daysarenotenough”.
Many African Americans believe this month is separating blacks from other races rather than making us seem equal, and it is extremely hard for people to wrap their heads around how someone can condense black history to one month.
While these people make valid points, there is still a need for this month.
I’ve attended predominantly white schools my whole life, so I only heard about my history during the month of February.
While I was shocked to see many of the students in my classes didn’t know the background of Harriet Tubman, or even how the Underground Railroad operated, it satisfied me knowing that my white counterparts were finally hearing about my background and my ancestors for a change.
This was one of the few times black history was highlighted throughout the year.
We need to take it upon ourselves to make sure schools and communities are teaching black history even outside of February. We need to ensure that everyone is really being taught about things such as the Atlantic Slave Trade.
No, not just that goods were traded for slaves, but also that between 10 to 20 percent of slaves died during these voyages from starvation and unlivable conditions.
We need to stop hearing a broad overview of the history because it is so much deeper than that. Where is the conversation about Bayard Rustin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and so many others?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an extremely inspirational man. We need to continue to highlight all of his marvelous accomplishments, but we also need to educate ourselves about the African Americans who aren’t picture-perfect to white people. The co-founder of the Black Panther Party, Huey P. Newton, is a good example. Even though he took the radical approach in fighting for black rights, he is still a vital part of black history.
It needs to be known what African Americans have endured and triumphed. We overcame many obstacles, and without those that passed before us, this nation wouldn’t be what it is now. At the end of the day, black history is American history.
Then, once it is engraved into schools and communities that black history is just as important as every other history, there will no longer be a need for Black History Month.
Clarke Perkins is a 19-year-old political science freshman from New Orleans. You can reach her on Twitter @ClarkePerkins.