February is when love fills the air, the weather gets warmer, and the days grow longer. However, it’s also a time when my school, like many others, observes Black History Month. If I’m being honest, many of the celebrations feel more like a checklist item rather than a genuine commemoration of history. A slideshow in government class, a morning announcement, and an informational flyer about some influential figures are appreciated as small steps in the right direction, yet I believe Black History Month deserves more than just surface-level recognition. It should be an opportunity for us to learn from each other and reflect on our experiences.

Despite past patterns, I’ve noticed some significant changes at my school this year. Instead of merely repeating well-known facts about MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks (though their importance is undeniable), teachers and students discussing Black History Month have genuinely tried to emphasize lesser-known influential figures and events. In one of my classes, we discussed Claudette Colvin, someone I knew very little about before the class. She was a teenager who stood her ground and refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus months before Rosa Parks. Another teacher highlighted the contributions of Black scientists, such as Dr. Shirley Jackson, whose research paved the way for modern technology, and figures like Henrietta Lacks, whose cells contributed to an entire field of research medicine.

Student organizations in our school have also been holding celebrations. The Black Student Union (BSU) collaborated with our Diversity Club to hold discussions where students could share their perspectives on Black culture and history. These conversations opened many people’s eyes because they went beyond what’s in textbooks and let us hear about the experiences of real classmates. They helped us understand the real-world impact of history and how it connects to modern-day issues.

Black History Month isn’t solely about looking back at history. It’s about using what we learn to make a difference moving forward. One thing I’ve realized with all my experiences in the past few years is that history isn’t just something we study, but something we’re actively shaping. Advocating for diversity in our curriculum, managing racial imbalances in our neighborhoods, or even just having more of these conversations in other months besides February, we all have a role to play in not only correcting the mistakes of the past but making sure we don’t make the same ones in the future.

Black history is American history, and it deserves to be recognized year-round. Having a dedicated month to celebrate, reflect, and learn, though, is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come but also how much more work there is to do.