Forget about Valentine’s Day: Let’s talk about Black History Month

February has arrived, and while you are preoccupied considering what to get the “bae” for Valentine’s day, you should also consider a greater predicament. In the wake of the Michael Brown verdict, the failure to indict the police officer in the Eric Garner case, and the emergence of the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, this Black History Month should trump February’s more frivolous celebrations. 

February is oftentimes synonymous with Valentine’s Day and, more recently, the Super Bowl. I recently asked a friend about her plans for the next few weeks, thereby starting a conversation about Valentine’s weekend followed by discussion of the controversy that this year’s Super Bowl ads have generated. 

Mind you, these are mere one-day events, lasting a few hours — yet our country perceives them as all-important. Rarely is February associated with the 28-day celebration of Black History Month, a much longer event. Seldom do you come across promotional material for Black History Month events more than a few days away. 

Rather, you scroll through pages of outdated information and hope to find a snippet about a Black History Month celebration. In my own research, I found it hard to come across events in a timely manner. Either the time and place were “to be determined,” or the event was “still up in the air.” It is imperative that we educate ourselves on black history through the use of what is available to us — Netflix, the Carnegie Library and our resources here at Pitt. The recent events involving Mike Brown and Eric Garner have sparked national outrage and a call to action. 

Activism has been seen not only on Pitt’s campus, but throughout the country. However, it was @_MissBre’s tweet on Dec. 3 that got national attention. She wrote, “My grandmother is in tears. Tears. She said they marched because she didn’t want us to have to. And now look.” Her words sum up the urgency and importance of this month’s celebration. History is repeating itself and it is on us as individuals to break the cycle by seeking information to better understand the ramifications of our past. 

Having evolved from Carter G. Woodson’s “Negro History Week,” founded in 1926, Black History Month seems to have become a staple for curricula in many elementary school classrooms, but seldom evolves from there. Black History Month fits into an elementary school’s curriculum far more easily, in fact, than that of a junior high or high school.  An elementary school curriculum is much more malleable in the sense that these students are getting the broadest education. 

The U.S. Department of Education plainly states that “there is no national curriculum in the United States.” There is a standard set within each school district, however. Still, curriculum is very much reliant on an individual educator’s teaching style. This freedom in style allows for more flexibility in the classroom and ensures that each student learns basic fundamental principles to work toward a higher education. This, in combination with hands-on activities, serves as the perfect introductory course in black history. The higher you climb the educational ladder, the more specialized curriculum becomes, though. Our fourth-grade social studies class turns into our 10th-grade Western Civilizations class.

This is not to say that schools have completely disregarded the month. However, the events that arise can turn into social gatherings more than anything of true educational value. Communities will make headlines for their involvement with Black History Month — but one event does not characterize an entire month. There is no standard for celebration.

In light of this, we must educate ourselves. The easiest, most entertaining way is through Netflix. Press pause on “Gilmore Girls” and search for more enlightening pieces that shed some light on black history. Netflix has proven to be equally educational and entertaining with its gripping documentaries. Here are a few of my reccomendations:

“The African-Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” is a series that consists of six, one-hour episodes, documenting different eras of black history from 1500 to 2013.

“Spies of Mississippi” documents a secret agency formed by the state of Mississippi that employed black spies to infiltrate and take apart various civil rights organizations.

“Dark Girls” touches on the more controversial conversation of colorism, which is a phenomenon that occurs within one’s own race.

“30 for 30: Ghosts of Ole Miss” is an ESPN documentary that revisits the integration of Ole Miss during the Civil Rights Movement.

A second resource made readily available to Pitt students is the Carnegie Library. Put that free admission to good use, and check out some of the events that Carnegie Library has to offer. This underused resource is promoting events all around Pittsburgh in honor of Black History Month. Some of the more notable and free events include their Black History Month gallery exhibit, which is open all month long, their “Black History Month: Sunday Afternoon Music Series: Sounds of Steel,” on Sunday, Feb. 8, and their “Black History Month: Books in the Afternoon: The Good Lord Bird Thursday,” on Feb. 19. 

Visit Carnegie Library’s homepage to learn about more Black History Month events at the library and the surrounding area.   

What Pitt Offers: Hold off on Chipotle for a night and join Pitt students in Market Central for their annual dinner in honor of Black History Month. This night is often characterized by its delicious spread and festive atmosphere, which will include the stylings of various African dancers and drummers. Currently, this dinner is scheduled for Feb. 19. Students without a meal plan can experience other events that a variety of student organizations are hosting. 

Students for Justice in Palestine is hosting an event on Feb. 24 titled, “Parallels Between Black and Palestinian Struggles,” which will be located in the William Pitt Union in honor of Black History Month. 

In this volatile political climate, where we as a society have opened up a dialogue about black injustice for the first time since the civil rights movement, it has become paramount that we attend events such as these to educate ourselves and acknowledge African-American history and heritage. Black History Month cannot be a mere footnote when it comes to the month of February anymore.

Write to Elizabeth at ead61@pitt.edu.