Black History Month. We learn but we don’t discover… 

The treacherous experiences the beloved advocates had to go through, just by raising their voices for us and the world. Ever wonder why prejudice began? To put it quite distinctly, it started with people and their reputations. However, nowadays we say don't judge a book by its cover, why did no one act upon this in the past? We know it's not about what's lying on the surface of the skin or what other identities people see at first glance. Although, what we don’t know about is the identity of their heart, and the warmth of what people express. This is what is crucial!

A time to commemorate, and a time to understand. Black History Month is an annual observance celebrated to honour the struggles that black individuals have faced throughout history. We all heard of it, although sometimes we question the details behind it. Let’s take a look. 

After the death of a devoted advocate fighting for the abolishment of slavery named Fredrick Douglass, in 1895, schools in Washington decided to signify a day known as Douglass Day. 

Mary Church Terrel, an educator and activist, suggested creating Douglas Day into a holiday and marking it on the 14th of February- Douglass’ birthday. 

In 1915, a historian, Dr Carter G Woodsen (soon known as the “Father of Black History”) wanted to take this inspiration further, after going to Abraham Lincoln's jubilee in Chicago, to dedicate 50 years since the USA cleared slavery. 

He created an organisation known as the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH). Woodsen chose Black History Week to be in February, due to the birthdays of two former presidents, Douglass (14th) and Lincoln (12th). 

After Woodsen died in 1950, the civil rights movement began in the ’60s and then it soon developed into Black History Month. 

This discovery was followed by inspiration and that's why Black History Month is profoundly inspirational.

One of the most powerful aspects of this observance is the opportunity to share personal stories. These narratives shed light on the experiences, triumphs, and challenges faced by black individuals. By listening to these stories, we gain a deeper understanding of what is hiding behind the facade. And also the milestones great advocates have achieved. Such as civil rights activists like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. to cultural icons including Maya Angelou and Barack Obama. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the progress that we made as a society. 

Black History Month also serves as a call to action. It is time to address the ongoing issues of systemic racism and discrimination. By learning from the past, we can work towards building a more inclusive future for all. 

In honour of it being the end of the observance in the UK, it is time to reflect on what has shaped modern society into what it is today.