By CAMERON GORDON, Student Reporter
February is here once again, and so is Black History Month.
According to History.com, Black History Month actually began as National Negro History Week in 1926.
Eventually, the week became a month known as Black History Month to many college campuses following the Civil Rights Movement. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month.
This is the time when people focus on the often overlooked achievements and advancements of African American men and women, two Northwestern students said.
So, what does Black History Month mean to Northwestern’s African American community?
Alejandro Aaron said that, to him, Black History Month is about “how far we’ve come from our history, and making sure everyone gets treated equally.”
Black History Month is important to Brian Holiday because of how it “shows recognition to what we fought for.”
He said he wishes it was longer than just a month, but added that the Black community is “still fighting for a lot of stuff right now.”
When asked if they felt welcomed as African Americans on Northwestern’s campus, they both said they felt welcomed, especially being athletes on campus.
Holiday said: “I see and talk to non-athletes that say they enjoy it. They get their degree here and finish out.”
Neither of them has felt personally prejudiced by anyone on campus, they said.
However, Aaron said he knows people who have “encountered racial conflicts with somebody.”
“I believe racism is taught,” he said. “I feel like the people who are racist were taught that.”
Aaron said he would like to shout out to all the people who are fighting for equality.
“Black Lives Matter,” Holiday said. “It’s for the culture.”
Black History Month is a time to recognize African American people throughout the years who have had major impacts on society, the two said.
It is a month where credit is given to the men and women of the Black community for all of their achievements, and to move forward toward equality, the two said.