How is African American history important?

1. No American History Without Black History

The history of the United States is incomplete without the history of African Americans. Their history is important because they matter. It is as simple as that. Think about? Their history in America start when the first slaves were brought here around 1620.

They have fought in every war that the US has ever fought, revolution war, civil war,…Spanish war, WWI, WWII, …and most recently, Iraq and Afghanistan. Why would you exclude their history from the American history?

2. 246 Years of Free Labor, Zero Reparations

From 1620 to 1865, Black people were enslaved by White America. They had no rights. They worked for free and were treated like animals. No land, no wages, literally nothing. They were excluded from any economic opportunity in their own country.

On 19 June 1865, they were told that they were no free and could participate in the new economy. However, White America didn’t even give them land. As European Immigrants were moving to the US, White America would offer them land. Before Juneteenth, they were even given Black slaves to work in their lands. After 170 years in bondage and free labor, White America didn’t care to give them land or any economic base to start with.

3. Reconstruction’ to Jim Crow: Freedom in Name Only

From 1865 to the 1960’s, Black people found out that they were far away from their so-called freedom. After a brief period of what was called “reconstruction”, Jim Crow laws were implemented by the Whites to keep the Blacks in their place. Racial segregation against Blacks, lack of political and economic representation, etc.

I find it so ironic that we brand ourselves as one of the greatest democracy, yet it took over 200 years to allow Black people to vote. Think about? What kind of democracy that forbids their people to vote, kills and tortures them when they raise their voices to claim for their rights.

4. The Constitution’s Empty Promise

Again, when the Whites wrote the Constitution, “ All men are created Equal” did not apply to Black people. How would you say that while 100% of Black people remained in slavery for another 100 years? When White America got independence from the British, guess who was excluded? Black People.

Black folks have fought in every single war that the US has gone through. Can you imagine what was it like to fight in WW I and WW II to liberate White Europeans from Nazi oppression in Europe, then come home only to found out that you have no rights whatsoever. No rights to education, healthcare, or economic inclusion, nothing.

5. Unfinished Business: Truth Before Healing

Until America settles the past injustices against Black people, it is my honest opinion that we will always have unfinished business in this country. Start by actually teaching the history of Black folks in our schools. How come our schools never mentioned Black Wall Street in 1921 in Tulsa?

If we want to heal this nation seriously, we have to be honest and start having these uncomfortable conversations. They are difficult to engage, but it is what we need as a nation. It will not solve all the issues, but it will sure be a good start.

Happy Juneteenth for those who celebrate it. How come this isn’t a national holiday anyway? The history of African American matters and it should be a part of our nation’s history. Cherry-picking and white washing the history of Black people in America is no bueno. We need to learn all of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Healing will only start afterwards.