Reflections on Black History Month

Where would we be if not for the sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? A man whose name echos throughout the world. A man who spent his life fighting for justice and equal rights.

When you are in school, you learn about many historical figures, but in such a minimal way. You learn how Dr. King marched for equal rights. You learn that Rosa Park didn't give up her seat. And then you learn that 50 years later, we elected our first Black president. 

But when I was a student, it often felt like teachers were trying to portray the Civil Rights movement as such far away times. We were shown blurred black and white pictures, the colors washed away as if it was hundreds of years ago.

In reality, history isn't just something you learn in school. History is told over and over again at the dinner table by our elders. You hear about when the name Michael Jordan started first started swarming the world. You hear about the moon landing, when the first computer emerged. And lastly, you hear of a man so brave and yet so kind, who emerged from a very dark time and etched his name in history – a man named Martin. 

You learn about the story of Malcolm X, who fought resiliently for the freedom of African Americans. 

You learn about Nelson Mandela, who sacrificed years of his life to fight oppression, and who emerged as a hero and became the first Black president of South Africa.

You learn about Ella Baker, who played a key role in some of the most influential organizations, including the NAACP.

You learn about Thurgood Marshall, who fought against racial segregation in the case of Brown v. Board of Education and gave young Black students the opportunity to be educated.

You learn about Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul, who brought comfort to many homes with her legendary voice, while fighting for civil rights. 

When you live in a world of injustice, you can't help but feel pride seeing strong Black folks in history fighting for what was rightfully theirs.

When I was in college, I took an African American studies course taught by a legendary figure at my school. I wanted to learn more about the Civil Rights movement, beyond the watered-down version I was taught in elementary school.

As I entered the classroom on a warm September afternoon, I remember only ten students in the class, half of whom were Black. We sat back, eagerly waiting for the teacher to come. As we waited, I could overhear a fellow classmate telling her friend that she had taken a previous class with the professor, and that she had learned a great deal of Black history. It made me happy, knowing I was going to learn from someone who actually cared deeply about the subject matter.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks into the semester. The professor handed us the Autobiography of Malcom X, and told us to take the next couple of weeks to read it, absorb it, and think about his legacy. At that point, I knew that Malcom X had fought for the rights of African Americans, but I did not know much else.

His story is much deeper. He was a complicated man, who faced many obstacles.

I remember sitting down in a coffee shop to read his autobiography. I was struck by his humility and vulnerability. I learned of his modest beginnings, his struggle with drugs, his time in prison, and his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he saw Black and white people side-by-side, praying and laughing together, for the first time in his life.

I was in awe. Fifty years later, I still could learn so much from his story. His story taught me to learn from your mistakes, but that no mistake defines you. It taught me to be modest and vulnerable, and it inspired me to help mentor young kids who look like me.

I want to let young people know that life will scratch and claw at you – that there will be moments when you feel as if you can't go on. But with every step you take, you move closer to a brighter future.

No man controls your destiny, but you.