Black, dark-skinned, brown: these are some of the many words that can be used to decribe a colored person. The slave trade, which was the capturing, selling, and buying of enslaved humans from Africa, marked the beginning of the Black man’s struggle. Ever since then, their series of hardships have become a brand; however, in 1926, American historian Carter G. Woodson created the ‘Negro History Week,’ with the goal to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. Today, it has become what is known as Black History Month. 

Black History Month celebrates the legacies of the Black men and women who have influenced America’s past and promoted Black heritage. Some prominent figures who shaped Black history are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led the Civil Rights movement in 1964, and Rosa Parks, who came to be known as the ‘mother’ of the freedom movement due to her activism during the Civil Rights movement. 

“Almost always, the creative, dedicated minority has made the world better,” Dr. Luther King Jr., said.  

African American heritage is rooted in the blend of the West and Central African lifestyle with European traditions that have influenced its development. Despite the changes, Black culture portrays respect and the ideas of peace and equality.  

“There is no Black without Africa, and that alone makes me proud. I am African by decent, Nigerian to be precise, and even though I have adopted new practices, I still take pride in my heritage. To me, no matter what kind of Black you are, we are all equal,” Temilola Oloruntoba, sophomore, said. 

Black History Month expresses such customs and tells stories rooted in skin color. Over the years, it has been expressed through music from famous artists like Beyonce’s ‘Brown-Skin Girl’ and Mickey Guyton’s ‘Black Like Me.’   

“We never go backward. That’s the plight of the human species, but also our privilege. So as always, a new equation will emerge, and that will be led by the artists and likely powered by them as well,” Pharrell Willams, American rapper and entrepreneur, said. 

Being Black means being bold, fierce, and beyond everything, being inspiring. To support themselves during the racial chaos of 2020, communities provided each other with food, support, and financial help. 

“I really love the culture of being Black because I feel like we can all unite in one way. To me, it is a motivation because it is really cool that we can all support each other and bond based on the color of our skin,” Laika Akilu, freshman, said. 

Although humans are sometimes discriminated by how they look, Black men and women are strong and determined. They are heroes everywhere, and they set examples for future generations.