Since the beginning of civilization there has always been one segment of the society that feels it needs to diminish, degrade and oppress another. When will we learn that what we do against another and what another does against us diminishes us all? We cannot help but be shaped individually and collectively by those actions. All history is our collective history and it all shapes who we are as individuals and as a society.
We are celebrating Black History Month. But in reality no one’s history should be relegated to one month out of the year. It should be interwoven and celebrated as part and parcel of our collective history. We are a country of many people whether some accept it or not. We are continuing to fail to see value in the contributions of every member of our community and in doing so we are failing in strengthening our communities and our country. We don’t have to wait for other countries to tear us apart – we are doing it to ourselves.
Perhaps if we all really, really tried – we could help turn this trend of marginalizing and degrading each other into empowering and uplifting each other. If not for ourselves for our children and their futures. We celebrate Black History Month and we should reflect on us all and move towards a better world where diversity, peace and love are celebrated always!