Black History. BECOME History.

Since 1926, African Americans have celebrated Black History Month (it started out as Black History Week) as a way to honor the remarkable African Americans who preceeded us. Every year in the month of February, Blacks have trivia games, watch television specials, and even devote class time to learning about the greats such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Hiram R. Revels, and Madame C.J. Walker, just to name a few.

We take time to reflect on the tremendous progress the African American race has made, from rising above slavery to gaining citizenship, and ultimately, the right to vote.

Regardless of what anyone (Black or not) has to say, our race has defeated oppression and has implanted a powerful footprint in the history books.

But why are we satisfied with simply reading about the greats that paved the way for us? Why don't we strive to BECOME these "greats"?

This year, I've gained a new vantage on Black History Month. While I will continue to reflect on the lives and achievements of the figures who risked their lives and their freedom so that Blacks can be where we are today, I will now strive to BECOME part of history.

What good is it to look at where we've been if we refuse to take initiative and pave the path on which we're going? I possess no desire to read about the past forever. I aspire to BE THE FUTURE.

This Black History Month, I want to shift my attention to the up and coming African Americans. As the old saying goes, "Iron sharpens iron." We have the power to uplift those blacks around us and join in on the quest to becoming an even greater black community. An even greater black youth.

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We're a powerful generation, and if we let go of the violence, pettiness, and complacency, we WILL be a forced to be reckoned with. We have it in us....

So let's make History! Black History. BE History.