In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, February is recognized as Black History Month. This month is meant to highlight and commemorate the African Americans that had in impact on black history. Such people include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and the list goes on.

It is very important to know where you came from in order to get to where you are going, but you also can’t just look in one direction the entire time. I am an African American, but I have a bit of an issue with how Black History Month is regarded.

For me, it seems like it is just another month as I don’t really see it being acknowledged like it used to or how it should. When it is regarded, the same people are highlighted. I spoke to my friend, Basia, about this issue.

She said: “Black History Month needs to start with our younger generation and should first be introduced with the most prolific black history figures such as [King], Mary McCloud Bethune, Madame C. J. Walker and much more. This way they can understand why black leaders are important now, and thus understand the reason for Black History Month.”

I do agree that the children need to know the original heroes of Black History Month, but what about the African American leaders of today? What about teaching my generation?

There are many people of color making moves for our society right now. What, they don’t get recognized because their issues aren’t as “earth-shaking” as those from back then? Or is it that their moves are too fresh and not considered historical yet?

Basia said: “The figures from back then made greater contributions like the traffic light and more.”

I believe that their contributions were great for the time, and they should be recognized as such. Still, I would not say they were greater than what is being done now because any contribution that makes a difference is equal to any other to me.

There are new generations of African Americans making history, just like there are old that paved the way. Black History Month should be celebrated with that in mind.