Celebrating Black History Month itself has become an act of resistance

Black History Month, observed every February in the United States, serves as a dedicated time to reflect on the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Its significance has always been profound, offering a necessary corrective to an often whitewashed historical narrative.

However, its importance is magnified today as we witness concerted efforts across the nation to restrict the teaching of critical aspects of America’s racial history in classrooms. Here in Missouri, the Legislature has repeatedly attempted to dictate from Jefferson City how issues of race are taught across the state. The Francis Howell school board last year went so far as to try to outright eliminate course offerings focused on Black history and literature.

At such a juncture, Black History Month stands not just as a celebration but as a bulwark against the erasure of essential truths about the American experience.

The movement to limit the teaching of history, particularly aspects that deal with race, racism, and the legacy of slavery and segregation in America, represents a troubling trend. Laws and regulations are being proposed and, in some cases, enacted, to curb the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and similar frameworks that examine the systemic nature of racism.

While CRT is a complex and often misunderstood academic discourse, the broad brush used to target it threatens to eliminate vital components of America's racial history from educational curricula. In this climate, Black History Month gains renewed importance as a time to assert the value of comprehensive historical education.

Understanding the full scope of American history, including its darkest chapters and greatest injustices, is essential for several reasons.

Firstly, it ensures that the contributions of African Americans to the nation's cultural, political, and economic life are recognized and celebrated.

The stories of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X are well-known. Still, Black History Month pushes us to also remember lesser-known heroes like Robert Smalls, Ida B. Wells, and Bayard Rustin. It compels us to look beyond the civil rights movement to the Harlem Renaissance, the contributions of Black scientists, inventors, and educators, and the rich tapestry of African American culture that has profoundly shaped the American identity.

An honest accounting of history is essential to fully understanding our present times. The social, economic, and political disparities that persist in contemporary America cannot be fully comprehended without acknowledging their roots in slavery, Jim Crow laws, redlining, and other forms of institutionalized racism.

Black History Month encourages a deep dive into these issues, fostering a more informed and empathetic citizenry capable of tackling today's challenges with a clear understanding of their origins.

Moreover, at a time when the teaching of history is under threat, Black History Month acts as a reminder of the power of education to challenge and dismantle systemic racism. It highlights the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality, reminding us that progress is hard-won and must be vigilantly protected. This annual observance serves as a rallying point for those committed to justice and equality, offering a space for dialogue, reflection, and activism.

The attempts to restrict what history can be taught are often framed as an effort to avoid discomfort or division. However, a truly united nation cannot be built on selective amnesia. Understanding and acknowledging the full complexity of the past, including its most painful aspects, is the foundation for genuine reconciliation and unity. Black History Month embodies this principle, celebrating achievements while also confronting injustices and challenges.

In this context, Black History Month is more than a historical highlight reel; it is an act of resistance against the sanitization of American history.

It serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of African Americans in the face of adversity and oppression. It stands as a beacon of hope for a future where racial equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

Educators, students, and communities across the nation are finding creative ways to honor Black History Month, from classroom lessons and library displays to public lectures and cultural events. These activities are vital, not only for African Americans but for all Americans. They enrich our understanding of who we are as a nation, highlighting the diversity of experiences that have shaped our collective identity.

At a time when the teaching of America's racial history faces unprecedented challenges, Black History Month assumes a critical role. It is a clarion call to remember, learn, and teach the full, unvarnished truth of the American experience. It is an assertion that Black history is American history, integral and inseparable from the story of this nation.

And most importantly, it is a reminder that the path to a more just and equitable society lies not in the erasure of uncomfortable truths, but in their acknowledgment, understanding, and rectification.

This column was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on February 22, 2024.