Every February, our country pauses to honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans in the United States. From American martyr and patriot Crispus Attucks, to Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks, African American history is defined by those courageous men and women who continually overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges.
However, as this month comes to an end, it’s important to remember that it is not just about remembering the contributions of our ancestors.
Black History Month is about progress: progress towards a better understanding of our country’s story and the ways we can use it to create a better future. Progress made evident from the slaves who fought for their freedom in the Civil War, to the civil rights movement that inspired our country, to the young leaders who are making history today.
However, no matter how much progress we have made, America will not live up to its founding promise of equal opportunity until we are able to close the gaps that continue to exist within our society. Today, the unemployment rate for Black men is double that of any other racial group.
A child of color is more than twice as likely to be poor as a white child. The homicide rate among Black Americans is four times higher than the national average, and there are more black men under correctional control than there were under slavery in 1850.
The unfortunate realities of unemployment, mass incarceration, and deaths from cancer, gunfire, or poverty, demand that we use every available moment and resource to meet these challenges.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the precursor to Black History Month wrote, “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”
This Black History Month and beyond I hope we continue to honor our ancestors while working to make this a more perfect union.
For more information, visit carson.house.gov.
