The first day of February officially marked the first day of Black History Month. When Black History first came to be, it was only a week long and was originally known as Negro History Week. It first started with Carter G. Woodson, also known as “Father of Black History,” who worked tirelessly to make sure that Black History Month, that at first was only a week, would become a national holiday. According to History.com, The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), now know as The Association for the African American Life and History (ASALH), chose the second week of February to celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who were both important abolitionist figures who changed the course of American history. Over time, that one week evolved into the entire month of February to celebrate the excellence of African American figures throughout the course of time.

Black History Month is important because it helps bring light to African Americans who don’t get the recognition they should in history books or classes. It is quite saddening that black people get one month to be recognized, but thankfully some people still go beyond that. Even then, though, a lot of people treat it like any other month. Countless schools barely touch on black history, if not, at all. Regardless, black people should not let the lack of recognition act as a barrier. It should be a motivator to bring more to light black history and make history ourselves. And, in all honesty, black history shouldn’t be separated from the rest because it is just as important as any other. Some people say that black people are “privileged” because there is a month solely dedicated to black history, but, whether one would want to believe it or not, it is quite the opposite

“We were enslaved for hundreds of years, and they only give us one month to celebrate our history. We are not privileged.” Anaya Chambers, a Bob Jones sophomore said.  “[And] When I was little, black people only talked about their history during February but now we’re more open about our history.” She continued to explain how she celebrates black history all year long, and that others should do the same. “It doesn’t matter what month it is, I’m going to celebrate it [black history] anyway.”

Even when February comes to a close, people should still continue to learn the amazing things that black people have done.