As February rolls around each year, we find ourselves looking back at a time in history that is, by no exaggeration, appalling.
During this time we also find ourselves looking forward to a day still to come, that activists everywhere see as a dream. We’re looking forward to a day of complete equality. We’re looking forward to a day of acceptance between all people.
The history of the U.S. is still progressing, obviously, because time is moving forward, but even with that in mind, it’s glaringly obvious how short-lived our “history” has been up to this point.
After all, America still has the beauty of her youth.
February is a month where people all over our country reflect on the progress we’ve made in voting, politics, socio-economic development, culture, love and so many more categories.
February, as Black History Month, is a time where our country is reminded of the hurt we’ve caused others and the ways we can grow, and that perspective should always be reported on.
There’s a common saying that “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it,” and that thought alone is enough to drive home the importance of re-teaching and re-learning something each year.
Black History Month will always have new perspectives telling the story, and as long as there are stories to be told, journalists will be covering it.
Sure, we can pull out the last four years’ issues of The Pacer from February and see each one with the Civil Rights Conference’s poster on the front, but that’s because this event isn’t just special for our campus. It is special for our society.
Celebrating black history and trying to understand the cultures of fellow Americans is essential to being an accepting and well-functioning society. Without a memory jog each February, we might not progress the way we are now.
We at The Pacer know that it’s important to tell new stories and those buried down deep, so if you have a story to tell, please reach out to us.
And if you’ve never experienced the Civil Rights Conference at UTM, just know that history for this university is happening around you, and it’s up to you to write yourself into that narrative.
