Living Black History Monthly

Blacks should be grateful for Black History Month, during which the peculiar and powerful histories of Black people are brought to the world's attention.

It is a time to reflect on the lives and legacies of Black freedom fighters that fought and won battles of every kind in every age for the noble purpose of empowering their people socially, economically, politically, and culturally.

It also serves to remind us that Black histories are not just about the oppression and repression of people of color- they also tell of Blacks who have made invaluable contributions to nations, communities, and institutions throughout the world.

However, let us also be mindful that we have a very practical and personal need for Black history every month and day of our lives.

As we conduct our daily affairs and strive to make a future for ourselves, we also need to look to the luminous past for guiding lights.

While we should not live in the past or attempt a wholesale reconstruction of it, we still need to pore over Black historical records to gain insights and inspiration that will help us "keep keepin' on" as we pour ourselves into liberating and uplifting works of service.

Intimate knowledge of Black histories can also keep us from taking for granted where we are as Blacks and what it took to get to these sundry places and spaces in life.

Those who do not learn from the past until February will repeat it far too often.

They are also not likely to make the most of the opportunities that have been opened to them by the sweat, blood, and tears of all the agitators, abolitionists, martyrs, marchers, rebels, and revolutionaries who came before them. A visceral understanding of Black histories can move and motivate us to make the most of each moment of our lives.

Another benefit of delving deeply into Black histories is that doing so can help us truly appreciate the rich diversity that does and has always existed among Black people.

Despite how some people try to monopolize and minimize what it means to be Black, there are perhaps as many ways to be Black as there are Blacks in the world.

Article Author: iAMrj

richard jones (www.iamrj.com) is a freelance writer living near Detroit, Michigan, and co-founder of Alopecia World, a unique and exciting social network for hair loss "sufferers," their loved ones and friends.

Visit iAMrj's author page — iAMrj's Blog