Why is Black History Month Important: My Views

Why is Black History Month important? The relevance of Black history in the present day is of great importance and awareness. Black History Month is an annual celebration that remembers the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Van De Mieroop (2016) states that, “In the twenty-first century, however, it is no longer correct to say that black history has been forgotten.” This proves that Black history indeed matters in the present day.

So, why is Black history important? To start, it is crucial to understand that the role of Black history throughout history is significant. For many, the history of Black people is still commemorated today. The significance of Black history in the present day has taken on a vital role within historical discussions. Glenn (2015) claims that “Black History contributes to the process of democratizing history to make history more inclusive.”

This further supports the argument that different types of history matter, particularly Black history. Within school curriculums, Black history has become increasingly popular; however, Black History Month can be argued to be the best way to learn about the lives of African Americans during historical periods. Van De Mieroop (2016) argues, “The tradition of Black History Month (BHM) has been one of the most important sites for the wide dissemination of Black history for several decades.”

It can be argued that the commemoration of BHM allows others to remember Black history as well as the battle for freedom and justice. Similarly, one can argue that, even though BHM does indeed allow others to learn about Black history, it is questionable whether this is the best way to do so. I believe that, even though BHM allows for the remembrance of Black history, this should be emphasized year-round, and Black history should be an integral part of the education system. Black history deserves greater awareness, and past events should be better understood. Thomas (1986) states, “This improvement in opportunities for blacks coincided with increased recognition of black achievement.”

This suggests that BHM aims to commemorate the struggles many African Americans faced throughout history. However, some may argue that the best way to learn about Black history is through BHM. This can be argued to be true to an extent, as BHM allows others to reflect on the past experiences of Black people. Nevertheless, it can also be said that it is equally important to learn about Black history within schools and throughout the year. This provides an opportunity to reflect and gain a deeper understanding of Black history. The purpose and importance of history lie in understanding past events and recognizing their real outcomes and impact on the present day. Many people claim to “know” about the past, and BHM allows for a deeper understanding of Black history.

In my opinion, Black History Month is indeed beneficial for helping others understand the journey of Black history. Landa (2012) states, “Dimensional heroes, like icons of perfection, who stood up to injustice, danger, and aggression.” This suggests that, for many schools, the key aim is to help students understand the heroes of the period and remember them for their bravery. This emphasizes that Black History Month, for many, is one of the most effective ways of learning about Black history, as it provides insight into the struggles many faced. La Garett (2016) emphasizes that “Scholars have theorized that black history was more than mere celebrations of exceptional black heroes and heroines,” indicating that, even though many value the recognition of Black history, this focus on heroes is a limitation. The period of Black history was more than just remembering heroes; it was a time of struggle and injustice. This raises the question of whether BHM is the best way to learn about Black history or whether it would be better to integrate it throughout the year instead of focusing on a specific time. Many argue that BHM is not the best way to teach Black history and that it should be incorporated throughout school curriculums. Thomas (1986) argues, “Black scholars and laypersons on all continents unified their efforts to promote black accomplishment and celebrate the black heritage.”

This essay proves that Black history can be understood in many ways, and BHM is not the only way to present it. To conclude, I believe that, even though BHM is one of the best ways to teach Black history, this could also be achieved through other means, such as integrating it into the school system, which could work equally well. Black History Month is often seen as the best way of learning about Black history; however, this view is open to debate.

Works Cited

1. Adams, M. S. (2017). Celebrating black history month: Linking black heroes to academic success. Journal of African American Studies, 21(4), 633-643.
2. Blackburn, J. M., & Smith, R. L. (2018). Recognizing black lives: The relevance of black history month in counseling. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(2), 98-113.
3. Deyhle, D., & Margonis, F. (2001). Multicultural education, critical race theory, and the "Postmodern Turn" in education. Review of Research in Education, 25(1), 195-246.
4. Garvey, G., & White, S. (2015). Black history month: The experiences and opinions of young people in two London boroughs. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19(3), 326-340.
5. Glenn, E. N. (2015). Black History Month: Democratizing history. In L. H. Collins Jr. (Ed.), Exploring Race and Ethnicity: Contemporary Readings (pp. 60-65). Routledge.
6. Karenga, M. (2017). Black history month: Its creation and legacy. Journal of Pan African Studies, 10(2), 155-176.
7. La Garett, J. (2016). Black history is not just a month: A qualitative exploration of black history education throughout the year. Journal of African American Studies, 20(2), 213-226.
8. Landa, M. (2012). The purpose of black history month. Academic Questions, 25(1), 58-63.
9. Thomas, G. M. (1986). Black History Month: A chance to learn. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, (1), 108-109.
10. Van De Mieroop, D. (2016). Black history month: (Re)membering the past. South African Journal of Psychology, 46(3), 363-375.

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