February Is Black History Month

It's Black History Month, or National African American History Month. It's a time to celebrate the achievements of black Americans and a time to recognize the role of African Americans in U.S. history.

I have a minor in African American Studies so I've always been interested in black history. There wasn't a big focus on it when I was in school so when I got to college I was curious to learn about a piece of history that played a huge role in the development of this country. I kept taking classes each semester because I enjoyed the topic. One day my professor said to me, "you realize you're one credit away from a minor?" That wasn't my intention, but a nice added bonus.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

I think the best way to celebrate Black History Month is to expand your mind about the role African Americans have played in our history and present day life. Learn something new. Expose yourself to something outside your normal realm. Introduce your children to a part of history they might not be aware of.

• Visit the Idaho Black History Museum
• Read a book about our President, Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States.
• Listen to music from Billie Holiday (she is one of my favorites) or Beyonce.
• Read a poem to your children by Maya Angelou
• Watch 42, the movie about Jackie Robinson and how he was the first African American Major League baseball player.
• Maybe even it's just being more conscious of the African Americans in our community; working on being more excepting of others; appreciating those who contributed to our history.

The change starts with you.