February, as you know, is set aside to celebrate the history of black people in the United States and their contribution to the development and advancement of black people in this country. Black History grew out of a movement by Carter G. Woodson who felt it was time to recognize this contribution formally, and Black History Month came out of what was once known as Black History Week and is now officially recognized.
We have in the pages of Carib News made it our duty to celebrate the contribution, advancement, and inspiration of black people in the country. Great developments and great moments have been made by so many black pioneers and black explorers in the advancement and the struggle for our people and for this country. The study of black history is for us to know our past and what doors have been opened to us by our ancestors and to see doors open to the future for us as a people and doing what needs to be done today. This is where this year we are looking at living witnesses, those who are making black history today, and those who are contributing today. We have identified a few to salute, to pay tribute to in their role as changemakers in today’s society.
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Of course, each and every one will tell you that they are standing on the shoulders of others who came before them, who have paved the path and paid the price, and for them, now is an opportunity to move forward, to make their impact, and to pave the way continually for the advancement of black people. It is people who are making a difference, that we need to know about, that we need to salute. These are people who are inspiring what makes sense for the future; they are pioneers in their field, are first-timers in many areas, and they are changemakers, and we need to know and recognize these people in our midst.
Their achievement goes beyond the racism that pervades this country and is breaking ceilings in a wide variety of roles. We are seeing and witnessing a process of making history today through the activities of those whom we are celebrating in this year’s Black History Special. We just need to shine a special light on these black females and males who have accomplished much, have made an impact, and will inspire many for future generations. Even as we list a few, it is our responsibility to look around us in our daily activities and show appreciation for those who are on the frontline, those leaders who are making a difference, those who are in the background making things work in the foreground, and those who are paving the way for future development.
They are all in our presence, and they all should be recognized because through the efforts of today’s game changers will the future of black people, and indeed the society of the United States be determined. We need to, in our present time here and now, look to those people and celebrate them as we celebrate ourselves during the month of February and other months, to pay tribute to the work, the necessary work that needs to be done, that is being done day in and day out by the living witnesses in today’s history. They are not only changing today, but they are shaping tomorrow.
