Lilly Workneh: Why isn’t there a “White History” Month?
Emma Gray: February is Black History Month and somehow—
Erick Fernandez: Every year—
Lilly and Emma: Someone asks that question.
Taryn Finley: So here’s the definitive breakdown of exactly why we don’t need it.
James Michael Nichols: Every month is white history month.
Carolina Moreno: We already know the names of the white men who “founded” this country.
Lilly Workneh: We see their faces on our dollar bills.
Erick Fernandez: We see statues of them in Washington.
Emma Gray: We kick off sports games singing our country’s anthem, written by a white man.
Carolina Moreno: Even in February, we celebrate white people. Happy birthday, Abe.
Taryn Finley: But can you easily name just a few contributions black people have made to our country? Probably not.
James Michael Nichols: That’s why we need a whole month to teach and remind people that those contributions do exist.
Lilly Workneh: Black History Month, Black Lives Matter, and even the BET Awards were created to celebrate both our lives and our culture.
Erick Fernandez: And yes, we’re talking to you, too, Stacey Dash.
Emma Gray: The need to share black history and the history of marginalized groups, is crucial.
James Michael Nichols: Not just to those groups but to the whole world!
Taryn Finley: Without the recognition of black history month – the shortest month of the year, mind you – many black accomplishments and contributions would go unacknowledged.
Lilly Workneh: Let’s be honest, white history’s dominance in education casts a shadow over black history.
Carolina Moreno: Usually, black history education begins with slavery and ends with Martin Luther King, Jr.
Erick Fernando: But there is so much more.
Taryn Finley: That is the purpose of Black History Month.
Lilly Workneh: To educate, empower, and sustain the legacy of those who contributed to making this country what it is today.
James Michael Nichols: After all, the fight is about inclusion–
Erick Fernando: –to be recognized for our rightful place in history.
Emma Gray: White history is already solidified and acknowledged widely.
Carolina Moreno: It’s all around us.
Lilly Workneh: So if you find yourself asking, “Why isn’t there a White History Month?”
Taryn Finley: Here’s a newsflash for you.
All Speakers: It already exists!