Honoring the Past, Present, and Future: Black History
Greetings ASGW Members,
February holds profound significance as Black History Month. This moment serves as a time of reflection and pride. It is a month when we recognize the Black community's contributions, sacrifices, and achievements throughout history. During this time, we reflect on this community's continuous hard work, dedication, creativity, activism, intelligence, strength, determination, and perseverance and how, in many ways, they have positively influenced the world we live in.
Black people have been at the forefront of society, from the arts and sciences to politics, education, and social justice. Creative voices, such as Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Duke Ellington, expressed the Black experience. Scientists and innovators like George Washington Carver, Otis Boykin, Alice Bell, and Willie Hobbs Moore provided groundbreaking discoveries. Activists and civil rights leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, W.E.B DuBois, Frederick Douglas, Pauli Murray, and Angela Davis, dedicated their lives to justice and equality. The pain, sacrifice, and bloodshed endured by Black people to secure basic human rights and opportunities for many is something to remember. From the brutal reality of slavery to the Jim Crow laws, the long and challenging battles for voting rights and desegregation, the history of Black America is one of survival and resistance. Despite the obstacles and injustices, the Black community continues to rise above adversity and thrive.
As we reflect on this month and the contributions of Black people, Black excellence extends beyond a single month and deserves recognition year-round. Each day, as we open our eyes to the world around us, it is important that we not only acknowledge, learn from, and honor the history and accomplishments of the Black community but that we also see how their history and accomplishments play an integral part of the broader human experience. Please know that there are forces that aim to erase, diminish, and whitewash to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. As we see this continue to unfold, it is essential that we speak up and speak out and continue to inform others and future generations about the truths that have shaped our world. We must continue to fight tirelessly for equality, justice, fairness, and the rights of Black people. The journey is not yet complete. We must persist in our efforts to create a world where everyone, regardless of their background, has a place at the table and the chance to thrive and flourish. It is essential to back policies that amplify Black voices, celebrate Black excellence across all domains, and dismantle the systems that continue to oppress and marginalize Black communities.
So, again, as we reflect on the extraordinary contributions of Black individuals throughout history, let us also commit ourselves to the ongoing work of dismantling injustice and inequality. Let us honor Black history, not just in February but every day, and continue creating a world where everyone is empowered to live freely and without fear. May we move forward in unity, knowing that the struggle for justice and equality is not just for one group but all of us. Only through collective action can we ensure a future where the greatness of the Black community is recognized and celebrated and where all people can truly live in peace and equality.
Together We Stand,
ASGW Leadership Team (2024-2025)
