It’s February – Black History Month. Be honest, did you roll your eyes when reminded? Do you question its significance or feel it’s unnecessary? When Beyoncé won Album of the Year, did you instinctively feel someone else was more deserving? Ask yourself why.
Black History Month forces us to confront a history we often ignore. It calls us to reflect on the oppression, exploitation and exclusion of Black people, but many choose to look away. Why does this history make some of us uncomfortable? Why does acknowledging Black history seem separate from the mainstream narrative?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s response to Black History Month amidst the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs reveals how implicit biases shape societal conversations. She said, “This White House celebrates American history and all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or creed. America is back.” On the surface, this might sound like a call for unity, but what does it imply?
America was made for the white man to succeed. From the beginning, laws, policies and structures were crafted to elevate white people, keeping Black people in a perpetual state of “catching up.” This isn’t just about personal success – it’s about systemic design. The nation’s foundations were built on the idea that Black people were less valuable than white people.
Consider this: the very document that every legitimate official in this country swears an oath on – the Constitution – has a clause that banned Congress from imposing a slave importation ban until 1808. For 20 years, Congress was legally prevented from banning the importation of enslaved people. This wasn’t some isolated oversight; this was a deliberate decision made by those who designed the system of government we swear to uphold. The founders of this nation didn’t just tolerate slavery, they enshrined it in the document that symbolizes freedom and justice. That's two decades where Black people’s lives were seen as less valuable than the economic interests of the nation. And we’re supposed to ignore that?
America’s system was never meant to allow Black people to thrive without extreme struggle. Black people often work twice as hard to get half as far. We see this in every sector – from corporate offices to entertainment, society has always been tailored to white experiences. Implicit biases affect how we perceive and respond to Black people.
When Beyoncé won Album of the Year, there was an overwhelming response that someone else deserved it. Why do we feel like that? Could it be that we’ve been conditioned to believe white success is the standard? Implicit biases shape how we evaluate success and achievement, often downplaying that of Black people.
Black people pay the price for this system. They’re overlooked for opportunities and made to feel inferior. Their success is often seen as an anomaly rather than an expectation. Despite this, Black people continue to push forward, excel and build communities. They fight not only for their success, but for the future of marginalized people. Whether through art, justice or activism, they challenge the system.
When we roll our eyes at Black History Month or question its relevance, we must ask ourselves: what are we resisting? Are we afraid of confronting our biases? Black History Month isn’t just about celebrating Black people – it’s about reckoning with a country built on their suffering. It challenges us to think critically about the biases we hold and how they shape our understanding of race and success.
As my good friend, Aaron Hall, says, Black History Month is his chance to “embrace the greatness that comes from the melanin in my skin.” While this month is valuable, it shouldn’t be a once-a-year observance. To truly embrace American history is to accept the whole story – the good and the bad. As my middle school principal used to say, “Black History is our history,” as Americans. And we should never forget that.
This month, my Diversity Committee of the Undergraduate Student Association and I are bringing in five talented individuals to help us celebrate Black people shaping the future. We began on Feb. 6 with Jillian Janeswoth, poet laureate emerita of Buffalo, whose work connects deeply with social justice. On Feb. 13, Dr. Kamalah Poles will speak on youth advocacy. On Feb. 20, Damar Dowell, CEO of Equipped Trainings, will discuss DEI in corporate spaces. Finally, on Feb. 27, we’ll hear from Edreys and Alexa Wajed, artists and founders of Eat Off Art. Their contributions show that Black history isn’t just a month-long reflection, it’s an ongoing force driving us forward.
– LA
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