I remember every February when I was in grade school from kindergarten all the way to 8th grade, I was in a black history play.

Black History Month was such a major event, I looked forward to February every year.

My classmates and I would all dress up in costumes as we read the bios of noted African Ameri­cans.

I would always do Rosa Parks; she was my favorite. Now that I am an adult, it seems that some­how Black History Month isn’t as highly celebrated and looked forward to as it once was.

What was once known as a month of celebrating black his­tory has been turned into the month of flowers, cards and candy.

Years ago, February was the month people celebrated free­dom and the African American cultural background and their contributions to society.

I am not sure exactly when it happened, but I am sure that fewer people think about, yet alone celebrate February as Black History Month.

Today when the month of February is mentioned, the thought of Valentine’s Day emerges rather than the fact that it is Black History Month.

I believe the educational sys­tem is partly to blame.

With so much going on in society, our education system seems to have forgotten the im­portance of what Black History month symbolizes: equality for all citizens.

Schools no longer have cel­ebrations to inform children the importance of Black History.

February is now celebrated by passing out Valentine’s Day cards and cutting out paper hearts.

I am not saying that Black History and Valentine’s Days should not both be celebrated February,

I am simply implying that the meaning of the month should not be forgotten. If anything, the message associated with the two separate holidays should been seen as complimentary.

We should not only think only of love or being loved.

Black History and Valentine’s Day being celebrated in the same month symbolizes some­thing much more than celebrat­ing your significant other.

If more people thought of the importance of Black History Month while still celebrating the month as the month of love, we could begin to evaluate the true message at heart: love be­tween all of man.