by Tony Feria

Created on: October 25, 2009

Black History Month is very important because it raises awareness of the long and rough struggle African Americans have gone through. In the past 400 years, African Americans have undergone slavery, the inability to vote, segregation, and police brutality. Just because their color of skin was different, they were looked to be as animals, and free labor. Black History Month is a month entirely dedicated to the liberators of most of the racism toward African Americans. Although this racism still exist, African Americans have come a long way and are progressing in a very rapid pace.

In 1861 the United States of America went to war with itself disputing if black people can be free from being owned by a white man in southern states. A country, founded on the idea of everyone living in it being free from tyrants and anyone trying to deprive you from your rights had slaves working fields with guns to their heads. April 9, 1865, The Union States won the civil war, granting freedom to all slaves. If Abraham Lincoln had not issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and if we did not win the Civil War, what situations would we be in now? I'm sure our country would be very different if none of these events were to take place.

We can not forget the African American Civil Rights Movement from 1955-1968. Before 1955, African Americans could not even drink from the same water fountain as White Americans or even sit in the front of a public bus. It was not until Rosa Parks in 1955 refused to give up her seat to a white man, and got arrested for doing so that started the movement and ended segregation between white and black people. Right now, the country's very own president is half black. These events shaped our country so much that in 54 years after happening, our very own president is of African American descent.

Hundreds of everyday items have been invented by African Americans. For example, the cell phone and the air conditioning unit. It indefinitely shows that there is no difference between skin colors. Any human being can accomplish great things. Black History Month should be recognized as a month of gratification, it is a month that should teach us how to treat people with equality and kindness. Black History Month should remind us all that America is extremely susceptible to change, and good usually prevails.

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