As the month of February commemorates the plight of African Americans in their struggle to obtain civil freedoms, and more importantly, equality, the question of what is to be celebrated and remembered is upon Americans. The Civil Rights Movement has undoubtedly left marks and milestones in the history of America and the unity of its citizens across all races and backgrounds, precipitating awareness of the need for diversity, equality and peace.
The height of the Civil Rights Movement in America influenced all areas of society including schools, businesses, community activities and both local and national government.
African-American and Caucasian students used to be segregated in the classroom simply because of skin color. Communities exhibited blatant discrimination through race-selective services and businesses—whether it was a barber denying his shears or a tailor denying her needle—and it wasn’t until the late 1800s that African-Americans witnessed a change in their government and social involvement. Labeled by many people as the turning point of national desegregation efforts, the right to vote was availed to African-Americans in 1964.
Recognition of Black History in America is not just a time of past events and memorials. According to The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, every day is an opportunity to further educate citizens culturally and racially.
Black History Month is an event of both sorrow and celebration. The nation praises the continued unification of our country’s people while still remembering the inflictions imposed by one citizen on a fellow American.
In order to prevent future discrimination, Black History Month highlights the moments in our nation’s history attributing to peace-making occupations and remembers those who were pivotal in fighting for the cause of equality. The event marks members including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chrisholm and the like as crucial figures in the revolutionary change of America’s policies, rights and unity. Visit history.com for more information.