Black History Month is celebrated annually each February as a celebration and recognition of the contributions made by people of African descent in the United States and around the world. The concept of Black History Month was created in 1926 by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, an African America historian from Kentucky. Woodson believed that documenting and educating the public about African American history was necessary for the progression of Black Americans.

What does Black History Month mean to us as Millersville Students? Do we take time to celebrate and recognize the struggles, accomplishments, and progression of the African American race?

“Black History Month is a time to remember where Black society has come from, our roots and how we are able to do the things we do,” Matt Besson said, “Remembering the Black leaders, struggles we overcame, and how we shaped American history is the most important part.”

Kim Landis said, “I can’t necessarily fully participate in Black History Month, but I can appreciate what it represents and how it affects my history.”

Art Education major, Rachael Gemperline said, “I think that it is a great thing to celebrate a person’s descent and what a person or particular group of people has accomplished through time. However, I also think that it is almost contradictory to the progress that we are making as Americans toward equality in our country.” She went on to say, “I think that if we are wanting everyone to be equal we need to start treating everyone the same, either have history months for all races or people for that matter or for no one; especially now that we are progressive enough to have an African American as our president. Native Americans faced just as many struggles as African Americans, yet they don’t have their own month.”