Everything that surrounds you, is impacted by black history in some way. From the chairs you sit in, to the traffic lights you follow, and even the chips you eat; it is almost impossible to live the life you have today without black excellence. I was watching a TikTok video the other day of a girl who attempted to do a “day in the life” without black creations. Even in her best attempts, it is safe to say that life would revert to utter chaos without the creativity and resourcefulness of black innovators. The video was fascinating not only for the learning opportunities it presents, but also because of the inventions she unintentionally may have missed. Black history has unequivocally shaped the world we live in today. We must always commemorate those who devoted their contributions to the development and betterment of society.

Growing up, you always hear the phrase, “You can be anything you want in life.”While that may be true, it unfortunately comes with stipulations if you do not fit the stereotypical societal norms. The road to success can be unnecessarily difficult due to the color of your skin alone. Despite this disparity, black people continue to make strides in excellence, by overcoming insurmountable odds. In this month alone, we will be witnessing two black starting quarterbacks face off in the SuperBowl. A first time occurrence in NFL history. Not to mention the queen herself, Beyonce, breaking the all-time Grammy record. Viola Davis also became the 18th ever EGOT recipient, just the 4th black recipient of all time. These accomplishments are not only inspiring, but it continues to provide hope for the youth. And I’ll tell you why.

Think about it this way.

I was never really interested in activities that most girls my age found amusing. I was a tomboy that played basketball, video games, and watched sports in her free time. And it was a bit disappointing because there were times where I felt like an outsider because of it. I also happened to grow up in one of, if not the most, conservative states in the country. So not only did I not “act” in the stereotypical behavior of a young girl, but the things that I found interesting prevented me from connecting with many at that age. This type of environment made me feel as if I did not belong and introduced me to feelings of inadequacy. 

With age, I began to encounter more diverse crowds alongside the advancement of technology. I began to see video game streamers, music producers, dancers, athletes, and more, that looked like me. Young black children need this. They need representation. They need to see themselves in a positive light. They need inspiration to discover and explore new paths. A controlled environment with a lack of diversity, can only hinder a one’s thoughts and development.

Lastly, I want to end with this. We are headed towards a frightening future. There are laws being put in place to remove black history books from schools. So never take for granted the power you posses. Because that power, is something they find more threatening than guns. 

Happy Black History Month 🤎🖤

-Bri✌️

Photo by Arantxa Treva from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-floral-with-face-printed-door-959314/