Black History Month is often dismissed as a brief departure from what some consider “real” history. In reality, it plays a vital role in uncovering events, contributions, and narratives that have long been marginalized or erased. As the nation continues to grapple with its legacy of systemic racism, this observance serves as both a reminder and a reckoning. Black History Month is not merely a symbolic marker on the calendar; it exists to confront historical injustice while honoring the resilience, innovation, and achievements of the Black community.
This observance challenges dominant historical narratives by correcting inaccuracies, recognizing resilience, and addressing ongoing racial disparities. It highlights that Black history is an integral part of American history. The origins of Black History Month can be traced to Carter G. Woodson, a historian who fought to correct narratives shaped by white supremacy that justified inequality and erased the contributions of Black individuals. Woodson created “Negro History Week” to emphasize that Black individuals were not only subjects of oppression but also innovators and key figures in shaping history. This initiative later expanded into Black History Month, reflecting its growing significance.
While this acknowledgment may last only a month for some, it carries far greater meaning for the Black community. It is one of the few times when Black students can explore their own history in schools, even if that exploration is often limited to a narrow narrative featuring Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King Jr. This limited focus raises a critical question: what happens when students learn about the civil rights movement without ever being taught about the Black inventors, artists, scientists, and thinkers whose work shaped the nation? Such omissions are more than educational gaps; they reflect systemic erasure that undermines Black identity and belonging. The absence of representation in textbooks, where figures who share one’s racial background are often missing, reinforces a sense of disconnection and loss. Important figures such as Henrietta Lacks, Dr. Charles R. Drew and countless others who made transformative contributions to medicine, science, and culture are often overlooked, leaving students with an incomplete understanding of Black achievement and perpetuating the false narrative that Black people’s history is defined solely by enslavement and oppression.
Black History Month should not be misconstrued as a substitute for true inclusion, nor should it be confined to a single month. Until Black history is taught comprehensively and honestly without glossing over events or omitting inconvenient truths, it remains essential to remind society of the inequalities that persist. The narratives we choose to preserve and elevate shape our collective future, and acknowledging Black history fully is both a moral and educational responsibility.
Written by
Isha Hussein (she/her)
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, make sure to order a copy of Elmer Dixon’s powerful memoir DIE STANDING: From Black Panther Revolutionary to Global Diversity Consultant and check out what others have been saying about Elmer and his story.
Check out these other opportunities to see what folks are saying about Elmer and his continued work.
- See Elmer speak at Stories from the Revolutions’ Front Lines at his keynote at TEDxUTulsa
- Listen to Elmer talk on NPR’s The Jefferson Exchange
- Read about Elmer’s story in a piece featured in The Seattle Times
- Listen to Elmer on The Medium