The first day of my seventh grade social studies class, my teacher had pointed out a quote he had hanging up on the wall towards the back of the classroom. The quote read:

 Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

This quote, often misquoted as “doomed to repeat it,” was entirely fitting. What we would learn in that class…and many others before and after, would be a part of that lesson—gain the knowledge to move forward and learn from the mistakes made by others in the past. All to prevent the repeating.

It is crazy how applicable that is to today… Last year was a stark reminder of how not understanding history, or not taking note of it, has created further problems today.

Bringing me to February.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black history is not something we as a whole talk about—or recognize as much as we should. How often do we just note the month, let alone understand or celebrate it? And why do we continue to not fully embrace what that history is or what it means for Black

Americans and America? Most of what we do, is not enough, if we do anything at all.

How do we begin to fix that? By learning more.

HISTORY OF BLACK HISTORY

Black History Month, is fairly young in age, as it has only officially been around for 45 years. Compared to the birth date of our nation, it feels to be a small fragment for something that has history extending well beyond that—and is incredibly significant on our country’s timeline.

However, celebrations for Black history began over 100 years before those 45 years. The Black community has continued to celebrate their freedom, emancipation, and even the birth dates of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—both integral to the movement and success of the Emancipation Proclamation and Black rights.

It was a young Carter G. Woodson who would find the inspiration to designate a time to celebrate Black history following his attendance of the fiftieth celebration of

emancipation in Illinois. In 1915, he would be one of the founders of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The association was created as a way to raise awareness of African American’s contribution to the American civilization, with a mission in believing that truth could not be denied—that reason would prevail over justice.

In 1925, the idea of spending a week to educate and celebrate Black history was established…finally celebrated in February

1926. That week, fell in line with the birthdays of Lincoln and Douglass. Adding the extra few days to already-established celebrations, helped the week quickly catch on—inspiring the opening of Black history clubs across the country. The ASNLH would also help in creating materials for schools who requested more to teach their students.

In the mid-century, the push to expand what was at the time known as “Negro History Week,” grew. It would not be until the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s that the real push for an entire month would be met. It was 1976—the country’s bicentennial birthday, that Black History Month would come to be recognized nationally. President Gerald R. Ford asked Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

1976. For reference the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863—meaning it took the nation 113 years to recognize and finally encourage celebration and education surrounding Black history.

TODAY: HAVE WE LEARNED?

Now fast-forward to 2020…44 years after that moment in history.

The Black Lives Matter movement takes hold of the country. The overall theme: not enough has been done. In some ways, it feels like really nothing has been done. It was a painful reminder that 160 years from the long overdue emancipation—despite a month dedicated to Black history; what we learned in schools; the events and clubs that continue to educate the youth and public; decades of protests, deaths, arrests, and the list goes on—we as a country still fail to understand. We still have not learned. We still have not listened or changed.

The Capitol Riots in January were a further stark reminder of that lack of education… and how incredibly divided our country still remains. There was that disturbing dichotomy of the images of rebel flags waving inside the Capitol—the heart of our Constitution and country. And to see that flag wave over 160 years later within that sacred place…I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Have we not learned?”

I look at all of this—and know we can do more. We truly can as just ourselves. As a community. As a nation.

MOVING FORWARD

I am not sure if I speak for everyone when I say this, but it was why the Inauguration on January 20th meant so much more than

just another President taking his place at the White House.

On Inauguration Day 2021, you would have found me on my couch, watching, mesmerized—with tears pouring down my cheeks when the now Vice President Kamala Harris took her oath of office. My partner found me in tears and asked if I was okay—all I could muster was a tearful, “It’s a big day.”

Because it really was.

I recognize the historical significance of Vice President Harris saying those words. We now not only have the element of a first Madame Vice President—as she shatters the highest glass ceilings for women (just need President now…), but she is the first South Asian vice president, and the first Black vice president.

Does it mean we’ve done it and the barriers are broken and our work here is done? If you haven’t read the earlier part of this column, then to answer your question, no. We’re not even close. Though, I will say it is one of many steps needed as we head in the right direction of our future.

I do have to say, reading through all of the historical selections the Biden-Harris

administration has made in terms of Cabinet members--is awe-inspiring. We’ll have individuals as first-time representatives of the LGBTQ+ community, and many selections to become first-time people of color representatives as well.

President Biden said, “Men, women, gay, straight, center, across the board, Black, white, Asian—It really matters that you look like the country because everyone brings a slightly different perspective.” And the diversity of his administration is really beginning to reflect what that should look like. Again, a step in the right direction.

But this is not the end. The Inauguration and the administration are pleasant reminders of where we could be as a country—how we should be as a country in embracing our brethren. Yet there is still oh so much we need to learn. So much we need to do.

LOOK TO THE PAST

It’s why I emphasize Black History Month and the significance of its beginning, what it aimed for, and how it is really portrayed here in the U.S. We talk about this month to some capacity—maybe. But do we really learn from what is taught to us?

Do we seek education beyond just the little news stories or things our kids bring home from school?

It brings me back to the quote in my social studies class—and how incredibly important it is to do our part to understand history, both recent and remote, so as not to rehash issues or nightmares of the past. Some of the atrocities we saw in this last year were reminiscent of things that had happened long before days of the Civil War and emancipation. How do we prevent this? Education. Educating ourselves. Our children. Our neighbors, families and friends. You don’t need to embark on a full-on celebration. But you can seek out ways to learn more and better us as a community— and as a nation.

Lalita Chemello

Lalita is our Editor, Writer and occasional photog. Her 13 years of writing has landed features with Panorama, published poetry and even a short film. She spends any extra time she can quenching

her wanderlustian needs by finding new places to adventure with her other half, writing, or playing with their motorized toys.