Black History: Do More – Past, Present, Future

Black History Month – It is a verb.

Whenever I am presented with the question about the meaning of Black History Month, my answer is usually one that includes a joyful proclamation acknowledging the innumerable contributions and sacrifices my ancestors made.

My ancestors. I am them. We are Black History.

When I reflect upon Black History, I close my eyes and imagine my great-great-grandparents working on their farm, hugging one another, and sharing the hopes and dreams of their offspring – including me. I envision Black businesses thriving and Black people moving forward, despite the heartaches from what was their recent and wrongful imprisonment. I envision Black people being forced to give up land that was rightfully theirs. I imagine the many lakes and rivers, just as the Atlantic Ocean, whose watery beds are covered with the remains of my ancestors. What would happen if the lakes and rivers of Mississippi were drained? What would be found?

Celebrating Black History Month is not always pretty for me. While I lift my hands and break out in a dance celebrating the acknowledgments, I also break out in tears and try to reduce the lump in my throat as I remember why I am blessed to be alive.

Each year, my level of excitement increases as I endeavor to emulate Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s initiative to propel the purpose of celebrating our heritage by Doing More. Doing more is what Black History Month is about. Dr. Woodson did not stop at creating the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), he did more…

Doing More is my focus, as well as others, and is akin to Dr. Woodson’s which was the continuous education of our people forever; however, all while holding accountable the entities responsible for educating our youth. He was a visionary. Our current celebration, I believe, was birthed out of the intricacies of his glorious celebratory weekend in Chicago.

I am grateful, but I would be even more so to see a true recognition of the father of Black History by providing educators with the proper historical data regarding our existence in the USA, and our contributions to the building of this nation – past, present, and future.

It is impossible to truly reflect on the meaning of Black History Month in one article, one minute, one day, or one year… it is an ever-learning experience that in my many years of life, I still get perplexed, happy, sad, enlightened, frustrated, and joyful about.

I exist from people whose bodies were used as economic capital (free physical labor) to build this nation. Faced with the threat of death if they so dared to excel in life, my Black people put fear in its place and conquered what colonists would have succumbed to – progress amidst a racial cataclysm.

Black History Month renews my strength as I prepare to continue to celebrate my awesome existence…#AfterFebruary My question to non-Black citizens is: What does Black History Month mean to you?

We can all… Do More.

By Monica Tucker, Black El Paso Voice Founder

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