By Amyah Carter and Vera Naputi
East High School
For many, Black History Month is a dedicated season of remembrance, but for those committed to true equity, it must be a daily mandate. At Madison East High School, centering Black brilliance and joy is not a once-a-year event. It is an ongoing work of love. To move beyond performative gestures, we must trade seasonal celebration for year-round solidarity.
By examining why we believe we must honor this history every day, we offer our top three reasons for carrying out this responsibility:
1. To fulfill our ancestor’s dream through daily renewal. Black history is not just about past remembrance, but an ongoing act of renewal. By celebrating the brilliance and leadership of Black students daily, we help them carry forward the “wildest dreams” of their ancestors. It’s an ecstatic feeling to be seen! Ask yourself: In what ways can I move past simply “remembering” historical figures and events and start actively supporting the “wildest dreams” of the people currently in my life?
2. To move beyond performative silence and avoid the status quo. Limiting celebrating to February often stems from a fear of looking performative. Honoring Black stories year-round ensures support is rooted in reflection rather than symbolic effort or surface level allyship. Ask yourself: How can I challenge the status quo in my own social and professional circles when Black contributions are being overlooked outside of February?
3. To transition from celebration to active solidarity. True freedom is a shared, daily responsibility. Integrating Black contributions into our daily conversations supports Black excellence as truth. Ask yourself: Which Black led organizations can I commit to supporting with my time, voice or finances on a recurring basis?
Scholars provide the map for this journey helping us recognize that our students are, as Maya Angelou famously noted, their “ancestors’ wildest dreams.” bell hooks taught that honoring these dreams through love requires risk, while Jamila Lyiscott reminds us that their brilliance speaks in many tongues. By viewing Black history as a “fight for joy,” Gholdy Muhammad ensures students recognize they carry forward a long lineage of innovation and genius.
Black History Month matters because freedom requires collective accountability. It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence. Listen deeply, and stay engaged beyond February, we don’t just honor history. We become an active part of it!
