MISGUIDED MAGAZINE SPRING 2020

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
TO STILL CELEBRATE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
By Natyana Rochelle
February 1st marks the beginning of Black History
Month. Every year, black history, culture and
contributions are celebrated all over the world. It’s
important that it continues being celebrated because
we need to know our past and where we come from.
It’s a chance to honor those that paved the way for
us, and to understand where we go in the future.
Understanding our heritage is very important and
not just for African-Americans but for everybody.
It’s important to know how your ancestors lived,
so not only can their legacy live on, but so the bad
history won’t be repeated.
them for pushing through all of that so many of us
could be standing here today. Many fought long and
hard to be able to have some of the freedoms we
have, so we should take out moments to reminisce
and show our gratitude.
Every one deserves to be honored for the sacrifice
and suffering they endured for the sake of racial
equality. Celebrating Black History Month allows
us to pause and remember their stories, so we can
commemorate their achievements. Without them,
the world would not be what it is today.
In the history books, it’s mainly shown that African-
Americans were slaves and indentured servants, but
it doesn’t show that before that, we were royalty.
Coming from different areas, we ruled and did things
our own way. Even when, we came to America, we
built, grew and raised everything still.
Apart from an awareness of the past, we can never
appreciate the blessings we enjoy in the present.
Knowing the strength and power we have is
important for the black community, especially with
everything going on today: mass shootings, police
shootings and all of the racism.
It seems everyday only the negative aspects of
African-American culture and communities get
highlighted. We hear about the poverty rates,
incarceration rates, and high crime rates. Black
History Month provides the chance to focus on
different aspects of our narrative as African-
Americans. Black History Month allows us to
seek out and lift up the best in African-American
accomplishments.
Celebrating Black History Month honors all of our
ancestors. It shows that the bloodshed and pain
they went through was not in vain. We appreciate
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