Disrespected. That is my immediate thought when I think of Black History Month. Well, maybe not the month in general, but the history.  

Giving one month out of the year to explore and discuss the rich history of African Americans is not enough. It is vital for Americans to recognize the past and valuable contributions of African Americans.

And unfortunately, we barely scratch the surface of African American history during Black History Month. Most of us have heard of Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr. and Booker T. Washington.

But there are numerous African Americans who made amazing contributions to American history and are not recognized for their accomplishments. According to Oprah Magazine, women and men like Jane Bolin, Bayard Rustin and Claudette Colvin contributed to society yet receive no recognition. 

Luckily, the next generation of students are realizing the importance of Black history. According to The Washington Post, many high school students are demanding for Black history to be taught all year.

If the Black Lives Matter movement has taught us anything, it’s that we need to learn and appreciate Black history. Their stories matter. Their voices deserve to be heard. And we must improve our knowledge of those who came before us.

It all starts with the education system. We must bring alive this culture and history to those in school now. A month of learning about African American history is not enough. 

The education system must implement Black history into their teachings. To bring change to how we celebrate Black History Month, we must change our education system.

A month is simply not enough time to celebrate the expansive history of African Americans. They deserve so much more time. 

However, we must take this time to educate ourselves. It is not the job of African Americans to educate us on their history. There is no better time than now. 

Find a video or an article that discusses an African American who changed history. Be aware of the sufferings and struggles they experienced. 

Celebrate this month. It is important and means a lot to many people. According to the NAACP, there are many ways to celebrate Black History Month. 

Support a Black business. Donate to a Black organization. Attend a Black History Month event. Stand up against racism.  Explore the culture within your town.

Celebrating Black History Month is necessary to provoke a change within our own hearts and to bring a better life for those before us.