Once a year there is a month dedicated to black history. The past couple of weeks there has been a lot of controversy about the existence of black history month, and why it is still implemented. A lot of people think that progress for racial equality has been made, and it has, but we still have a ways to go. Black History Month is important because it’s a chance for black people to be represented and recognized.

When I was younger I went to a predominately white private school, and I loved it for the most part. Unfortunately there was a lack of diversity, and when it came to learning about history we learned about how America was founded and that was basically it. February however, was a month where history was dedicated to learning about black history (by dedicated I mean we made a poster and presented to the class). Even that small piece meant the world to me because that was a chance that I could truly learn about black history and learn about the milestones black people made. Black history month isn’t only important in the class, but it’s so important in entertainment.

Back in the day (so basically elementary school) I was obsessed with "That’s So Raven." I loved her because she looked just like me and wasn’t on a network like BET, she was on Disney Channel. Anyway, the first time I ever learned the words “discrimination” or “racism” was in 2005 when I was 8 years old on that show. The “True Colors” episode was about Raven trying to get a job, but was not hired because of her color. When I was younger I was always an outcast for the color of my skin but I always thought it was alone, and I didn’t even know there was a word for it. It was because of black history month that I learned about discrimination and racism and that I wasn’t alone. Black history month is so important because it gives regular channels like Disney to help teach children, especially black children a little about their history. It is the greatest feeling, like absolute pride seeing a black character on an average TV show with more than two lines. It’s an even greater feeling hearing them talk about discrimination and racism and how to overcome those issues.

In addition to television, social media has truly encouraged me during black history month as well. It feels so amazing to be able to go on Twitter during the month of February and see trending accounts that display black women with natural hair hacks or makeup hacks for different skin color types. It’s black history month that truly allows black people to embrace their culture and feel so much pride that is truly contagious. We need black history month to truly uplift our spirits to go on through the year and be successful.

Black history month is important in the sense that it’s a time dedicated to those who have paved the way for the rights that we have today. Unfortunately not everything is where we want to be, but so much progress has been made and the success that has been accomplished this far deserves to be celebrated and recognized. Black history month is motivation for us to keep striving and working hard to get to where we want to be. To me black history month is so important, because it’s our month to be proud of who we are, and to be grateful for the achievements those before us have made. It’s a reminder for us that we are here for a reason, and that nothing will change unless we change them. That’s why black history month is important.