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Black history does indeed matter

Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate those before us who paid the way to make a better world for African Americans. However, I feel that it is not as recognized as it should be. 

Edmondson

Edmondson

Being that it is the only month that acknowledges Black history, and it is the shortest month of the year, it needs to be honored tremendously. It is our responsibility to bring attention to our month. As African Americans, we need to take pride and show everyone what Black history really is. 

It is about celebrating all the trials and tribulations we’ve overcome throughout the years. 

It is about honoring the great leaders before us and those among us today. 

It is about celebrating our culture and traditions and never letting them die. 

It is about loving who we are nobody what media may try to portray.  

When February comes around, most people think about Valentine’s Day or even Mardi Gras. The thought of Black History Month is the last thing on their minds.

We cannot forget what the month of February is truly about. We can spread awareness by informing one another of the history of Black History Month. Inform each other of the accomplishments our people accomplished. 

Even today, there are many African Americans making history as we speak. Barack Obama being the very first African-American president. Misty Copeland being the first African-American female principle dancer at the American Ballet Theater.

We all play a part in Black history. History is being made every day of our lives. Our history does not start with slavery; our history is beyond that, and we must inform our brothers and sisters. It is great that we have influential people such as Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar bringing awareness. Knowing that even the richest people in the country are really on our side makes me very happy, it lets us know that we are not alone. 

Black History Month is our month and we must cherish it. If we don’t acknowledge it, no one will ever acknowledge it and take it as seriously as they take Independence Day, or even Cinco de Mayo. It starts with our people as a whole coming together and respecting who we are. 

There are so many people who paved the way for us. A lot of them are not as famous as some, like Martin Luther King Jr, or Madam CJ Walker, but they too play a major role in Black History Month. People such as Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American female poet to be published, or Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Oscar. 

All of them matter, all of them paved the way, and it is up to us to keep them alive. 

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Asia Edmondson is a junior mass communication major from Baker, Louisiana.