February has come and gone, and with it, the cultural acknowledgement that should have been highlighted.
Black History Month and its meaning have diminished over the years and people do not seem to care why.
As a Black woman, I have learned about Black history through the teachings from my family during my life.
But when it comes to being taught through the education system, Black history appeared to be another subject only covered briefly.
Schools tend to fall short in terms of retelling history in general, it is told dully with no expressed interest other than just being a topic in the curriculum.
Events of incidents of Black oppression and the trials and tribulations that Black people have gone through are told by teachers to students. Having been regaled with the stories of the challenges Black people face, our people still face the same issues to this day.
Although they may not surmount problems faced in the past, Black people of today still face animosity. It all just goes underappreciated, and as unfortunate as it is to say, there is not enough being done to change that.
Every time there is a moment that brings attention to people of colour, it gets discussed only in passing before being brushed away like yesterday’s news.
Wilfrid Laurier professor Dalon Taylor, an expert in community justice, is researching issues involving race, racism, and anti-Black racism.
“I’ve cut back from doing most anything in Black History Month because it’s emotional…it’s filled with disappointment for me,” she said.
“It almost feels like Black History Month is for Black people rather than the rest of society coming to terms to realize our contributions,” Taylor said. “Our blood, sweat, and tears have been a part of these different societies.”
She said Black people have the potential to come together to bring about recognition and that effective advocacy is a step in the right direction.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement started in 2013 and was a stance that has fluctuated through mainstream media over the years.
This movement, too, has faced challenges with “All Lives Matter” becoming a slogan, which was taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2014.
American writer and activist Tim Wise prides himself on being among prominent anti-racist educators. He posted about the slogan that belittled the reasoning for BLM about how ignorant and crass the people who pushed it were.
“For those who say stupid and obvious shit like ‘all lives matter…’ Tell ya what, when a racist bursts into a church and targets folks just because they are ‘All people’ rather than black people, you are allowed to speak,” he said in his Facebook post on June 18, 2015.
“Until then, STFU forever…”
BLM is a stance to highlight the oppression Black people face and to have others come to change the meaning was very disrespectful.
Yet “All Lives Matter” continues to be used. It’s not necessarily wrong in meaning. Of course, all lives matter, but the issue is that many who use the phrase twist the meaning towards being oppressive.
“Why is it that just when we are raising our voices, it becomes about all lives and yet we are the ones being oppressed the most?” Taylor asked.
Yes, all lives should matter, but Black lives matter, too. There is no exception or outlier when talking about human life.