Amid a time of political in-fighting, death of iconic stars, and neo-racism, Black history month remains a justifiable constant. The reason being, Black History month seeks to discover, restore and procure the best of our nation’s talent, empathy, hardship and constitution.
As these 29 days count away, I am sadly reminded that the praise and acknowledgement of Black pride count with it. Thanks to a leap year, we can keep our Red, Black and Green colors up a little longer. But, of course, that does not begin to explain the greatness of Black history.
In my opinion, Black history month needs to become a fixture of the American collective conscience. It’s not something confined to a month, or an extra day, rather an infinite and eternal recognition to those who have made the United States what it is since day one. We need to have a constant invocation of Martin, Medgar, and Malcolm when it comes to activism and politics; Basquiat, Davis, and Henry O. Tanner when it comes to arts and culture; Aretha, Chaka, and Whitney when it comes to music and Carver and J.L. Love when it comes to science and invention.
Yet, if we fail to remember Blacks as an unavoidable pillar in Americana, they will be forever confined to a set of days that doesn’t begin to appreciate them.
What Do You Think?
-Miles Elijah Yawada Gamble
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