Pride Month. Hispanic Heritage Month. Native American Heritage Month. Arab American Heritage Month. What do all these months have in common? They honor the past and the present, while celebrating the identities and contributions of their communities. Therefore, calling February “Black History Month” seems limiting and even degrading. I believe it’s time for a change, one that celebrates not only the past but the present and the future achievements of African Americans.
The name “Black History Month” emphasizes history, which is undoubtedly important. But it doesn’t fully capture the African American success of today. African Americans are currently breaking barriers, achieving incredible goals, and shaping the future in ways that deserve recognition. This month shouldn’t feel like a time to dwell on the struggles of the past alone; it should also feel like a time to celebrate the achievements, strength, and contributions of the present.
As an African American student, it’s hard to feel like this month was truly meant for me. Too often, the focus is on slavery, segregation, and the worst decades of our history. While these are critical parts of our story, I find it hard to connect with them because they feel distant. I sympathize with the struggles of the past, but they don’t reflect my daily experience. What does resonate, though, is the pride I feel when I see African Americans excelling in sports, academics, business, entertainment, and more. Recognizing these accomplishments would make the month feel more personal and relevant to me and to other students like me.
The name itself, “Black History Month” feels reductive. The word “Black” reduces us to a color, focusing on our skin rather than our humanity and culture. While many see the term as normalized, it can feel like a label that disregards who we really are. We are African Americans – people with stories, identities, and dreams that extend far beyond a single color.
That’s why I believe the name should be changed to African American Heritage Month. This name removes the term “Black” and instead centers on our identity as people. It honors the past, acknowledges the present, and inspires the future. It’s a name that reflects not just our struggles but also our successes. It’s a name that reminds us to celebrate our culture, achievements, and individuality.
This month should be a time of celebration, a time for African American students to feel seen, valued, and appreciated for who we are. It should not be a time that makes us feel uncomfortable or solely defined by our history of oppression. By focusing more on local African Americans, our communities, and the incredible progress happening around us, the month could become something more deeply personal and empowering.
Let’s make African American Heritage Month about more than just history. Let’s make it a celebration of who we are—past, present, and future.
