MISGUIDED MAGAZINE SPRING 2020

VOL 4
Every year in the United States during the month of February we
celebrate “National Black History Month” as a way to educate
people about the rich cultural heritage of African Americans and
to instill pride in its citizens. This is a time to reflect on the past
accomplishments of those who have gone on before us and to lay
the groundwork for future aspirations. This is a chance to utilize
education as a powerful tool to learn about our past history and to
make Black History a serious study.
It has been said that “In order to go forward, one must look back.”
Maya Angelou emphasizes this by saying “For Africa to me is more
than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth; no man can know where
he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly
how he has arrived at his present place.” Educating ourselves on our
rich legacy and past can only serve to make us proud of who we are.
While Black History Month occurs once a year, there is so much more
that we can do to foster a strong sense of pride in our race, including
our children who represent our future. Positive identity and well
being among our children for instance can be promoted by taking
them to African American cultural exhibits, socializing our children
about our African American heritage, teaching our children about our
history, and discussing tolerance and respect for all.
Inherent in learning about our heritage is the need to learn about
other cultures as well given the multicultural society that we live in.
Lynne Swann says it best: “This being Black History Month, I would
like to ask people to celebrate the similarities and not focus on the
difference between people of color and not of color.”
The more that we are aware of our rich heritage and the diversity of
others the more we can appreciate our legacy. As Rev. Jesse Jackson,
Sr. so aptly observes; “Our nation is a rainbow – red, yellow, brown,
black, and white – and we are all precious in God sight.
In diversity, there is strength. As Maya Angelou so eloquently sums
it up: “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry,
and we must understand that all the threads are equal in value no
matter what their color.”
DR. LEONA JOHNSON
Department of Psychology
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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