What does black history mean to you?
This black history month is a defining time and period in history. One that marks a time to move forward in progress with agency collectively across industries for economic development, healthcare, education, and opportunity. The access to equity is what pioneers like Octavius V. Catto, Claudette Colvin, and Megar Evers all envisioned. A reality that is equitable in accessing equality regardless of color or sex.
Marking a year journey into this pandemic and reflective change has accelerated and invigorated us to address issues that have historically been the reality of Black and African American citizens in the United States. Systemic racism has been highlighted more now than ever and is the reason why we can not afford to turn away from addressing the injustices that have always persisted.
Civil rights is still the roar of this nation. An alarm that black people, nor black history, will not be ignored or treated as marginalized. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ”Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.” With society being more connected globally with tools to communicate and collaborate faster, ideas and innovations can be achieved with a continued commitment toward achieving change. These connections help amplify voices and awareness.
In utilizing these connections, our TikTok followers entered the #BlackHistoryMonthChallenge by commenting, “What does black history mean to you?”
@premedbiomajor A student majoring in biology, who understands being a black women in STEM writes, “Black history means identity, freedom, heritage, strength, and restoration."
@wayytoochic A student and mother, who has embraced all of her beauty and is teaching young women to have the same confidence writes, “Black history means the origin of all things. It’s important to be educated on our history because so much of it is left out of the textbooks. Black history means power. To be knowledgeable of your roots is to know yourself. I will always be proud to be BLACK and thankful for all that has been paved.”
@kiki_honeybee A mother who teaches and models to her family and peers, through advocacy and awareness for equal rights says, “Black history is a documented example of total WRONGNESS! Civil rights and reparations."
@coachkimeducates An educator who exemplifies black excellence while preparing generations for the future writes, “Black history is awareness of the past struggles and triumphs of influential black people who have left a legacy to influence the present and future.”
In closing, black history means something to all of us despite our differences and geographical location. The history of America is not history without Black History.