Black History Month Call-In

Article By: Lisa Eiland, LCSW-S

“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela.

This month, instead of our usual acknowledgement of contributors to the field, we are doing something a bit different. I pose the question: what do we all really know about Black History? And why, year after year, do we continue to only acknowledge the same notable figures:

  • Dr. Martin Luther King
  • Rosa Parks
  • Harriet Tubman
  • George Washington Carver

You get the picture… 

Why don’t we acknowledge the other contributors, those figures who were less agreeable and safe? Are their contributions to the movement not worthy of being acknowledged? Why is it that we don’t give the Fred Hamptons, Huey Newtons, Angela Davises, Gloria Richardsons, and Marcus Garveys the same notable mentions? Is it because we are comfortable with those other notable figures, or is it because the state of the education system has failed to properly educate us on the all encompassing Black history? Or is it that we simply do not care enough? Some may argue that it’s not their history, so why should they care?

I’ll tell you who does care: the children who are being robbed of an education. Because we are too afraid to support the likes of Critical Race Theory in schools because it paints this country and its countrymen as monsters. Because we are too afraid to let teachers teach and actually support them in doing so. We would rather have whitewashed history and history books being taught than to actually learn from the past so that we don’t repeat it. One of the goals of the Black Panther Party was: We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in present-day society.” For centuries, African Americans have fought for a fair and worthy education, and, here we are today, repeating history all over again.

With the state of the education system in the United States in shambles and teachers leaving the field left and right, the time is now to stand up and be an “Ally.” An ally to those Black boys and girls who are having their AP African American Studies class ripped to shreds because our politicians don’t see value in the teachings. The time is now to educate ourselves and stop waiting for things to work themselves out. 

The question is always asked: What can I do? Well, the answers are in front of you. We can’t continue to leave the problems of the past to be fixed by the children of tomorrow. So, I challenge you this month forward to write to your political leaders to show solidarity with our children and students who are pleading to be taught. I challenge you to support those Black authors and literaries. I challenge you to become an advocate for not only education but Black education. I challenge you to not only support Black businesses but learn from them. I challenge you to stop creating safe spaces to vent and to do the work instead. We don’t need another safe space; we need support. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and stand up and support your Black brothers and sisters, even when it makes us uncomfortable. Not just when the world is watching, but when yet another Black man is being killed for the world to see for simply wanting to be educated. This challenge isn’t only for this month but for the duration of the year. Because Black History is more than just twenty eight days out of the year. 

I leave you with this…

“Education is for improving the lives of others and leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

— Marian Wright Edelman

…we should at the very least try. 

Black Education Advocacy Coalition

Black Educators Advocates Network

5 Black Educators and Advocates You Should Know

Go deep with one of our therapists.