Column: Bringing home Black history — in February and beyond

"If not in February, then when?"

The question was posed during an interview more than a decade ago. I was writing a feature story about the meaning of Black History Month, about how it has evolved over the decades from its beginnings as "Negro History Week" in 1926. The story stemmed in part from my own questions about whether people were actually learning and appreciating the history of African Americans during the month. Was the depth and breadth of our history being narrowed down to such milestones as "I Have a Dream" and such pioneers as George Washington Carver?

The response I received, "If not February, then when?" stayed with me. It was an acknowledgment that an imperfect recognition is far better than no recognition at all. It was a reminder that without a month dedicated to it, Black history would be even more neglected.

The question rang true then.

It resonates even more today, as we see parts of Black history labeled as too disturbing, too threatening, too "woke" for consumption, for American classrooms.

Column:Pam's experience at my 1960s white school is the history we need to teach. Not ignore.

With the value of teaching Black history — which is, ahem, American history — somehow up for debate, Black History Month offers an opportunity to celebrate a rich history. It's an opportunity to learn and share stories of injustices great and small, of perseverance, of ordinary people doing extraordinary things by standing up and refusing to accept the unacceptable.

Many of those stories can be found within your own community. And as I wrote in a 2021 column about local activists and pioneers, without their stories, "You can't tell the full story of South Bend."

You'll find some of these stories in February, when the Tribune will feature op-eds, online and on Sunday Voices pages, focusing on local Black history, written by current and former members of the community. And in collaboration with the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center, The Tribune will publish daily facts about South Bend Black history.

All of this history, and the people who helped make it, are worth your time — in February and beyond.

Alesia I. Redding is The Tribune's audience engagement editor.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Black history is American history and should be taught as such