By Hannah Savino, Contributing Writer ’26

February 1st marks the start of the month-long celebration of Black History Month. The month is dedicated to the Black Americans who have fought against oppression in the past and have empowered the black community. Today, it honors Black people’s activism and their achievements globally. This month is especially important to recognise the beauty of diversity and the strength it holds in this country. 

In past decades, the ability to gain equal rights had to be fought for by Black Americans. The Civil Rights Movement was undoubtedly a powerful event that allowed Black Americans to have more power in society. However, in this time period, racism and discrimination prevail, creating the movement to achieve equal opportunity to continue to be a struggle. The Black Lives Matter Movement began in 2013, shortly after Trayvon Martin’s death. The BLM Movement is a global organization in the U.S, Canada, and UK, their goals being to destroy white supremacy and abolish any unjustified acts of violence by the state towards Black Americans. Martin was an innocent and unarmed 17 year old boy who was walking to a convenient store when a man named Geroge Zimmerman called the police on him. The police explained there was no reason to follow Martin, which only angered Zimmerman, causing him to follow Martin and kill him. Numerous innocent lives have been taken all due to hatred, racism, and white supremacy still remaining in society.  

This month is additionally about the dedication to the Black leaders who have made a change, yet who have not been talked about enough. Several powerful people include Phillis Wheately, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson. Phillis Wheately was born in 1753 and she was the first Black American woman to publish a book. She was a poet and the first book she published was Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Dr. Carter G. Woodson was born in 1875 and was the founder of Black History Month. He orignially found the “Study of Negro Life and History,” which is now known as the “Assosication for the Study of African American Life and History.” This group organized a national Negro History Week, it being the second week of Feburary due to Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincolns birthdays. The Negro History Week formulated into Black History Month and was recognized by Gerald Ford in 1976. Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson was born in 1970 and she was appointed as the 116th justice for the Supreme Court in the United States. Her position in power marked the first Black woman to be a Supreme Court Justice for the U.S. These three brilliant people, and the millions of others, have contributed to the several achievements Black Americans have made throughout history. 

It is equally as important for the United States to celebrate Black History Month as it is for individual schools, such as ours. Co-President of the Amnesty International Club, Gabi Robayo, shares why commemoration is so significant: “Their stories are about perseverance and courage. They inspire us to work towards a more inclusive society.” February isn’t just about recognizing the struggles and triumphs black Americans have endured. It is also about raising awareness of the discrimination against this racial group and how Americans should fight to eliminate this hatred. Derek Santiago, junior, adds to why awareness of this month is important: “It’s an opportunity to highlight achievements, acknowledge struggles, and promote awareness of the diverse and impactful roles black individuals have played in shaping various fields and society as a whole.” Undoubtedly, the achievements of Black Americans have contributed greatly to our society and have made it complete. Jessica Bajakian, Sophomore, contributes another opinion on why celebrating Black History Month is important: “It is important to learn about and honor the achievements made by Black Americans, although I think the recognition of black history shouldn’t be confined to only one specific month.” Bajakian expresses the compelling argument that Black History Month should be extended to more than one month. To sum up the previous points, the celebration of Black History Month is significant for several reasons, from spreading inclusivity to awareness. 

Overall, Black History Month is an important month to recognize as it celebrates the black leaders who have fallen before us and those who continue to make change to the world around them. It unites the country together and reminds us that equality is a moral that should be adhered to.