African Americans have made significant strides in the fight for freedom, equality, and cultural identity, overcoming countless challenges to secure the American Dream. However, through perseverance and unity, they have achieved milestones that have transformed the world, inspiring the celebration of Black History Month. Here are a few examples of these extraordinary people:
Martin Luther King Jr.
This wouldn’t be a proper Black History Month story without mentioning the extraordinary Martin Luther King Jr., also known as MLK. The man had a mission and a ministry. He was a major player in the Civil Rights Movement, leading marches and delivering powerful speeches for African American rights and against segregation. One of his most iconic speeches was “I Had a Dream.” Now, this speech wasn’t just about a regular dream, it was a vision of unity in the foreseeable future. MLK dreamed of a future where blacks and whites could join hands in siblinghood, where children would be judged based on character and not by the color of their skin, and where the oppression of African Americans would finally end. His words touched many and continue to inspire people today. “MLK taught me that if you want something done, you must act on it. I can’t go through life being passive. I must fight for what I believe in all the time,” reflects junior Kennedy Bordelon.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Another remarkable African American hero is Frances Watkins Harper. Harper was an influential writer, abolitionist, and reformer, but most importantly, one of the few African American suffragists. In her famous speech, “We Are All Bound Up Together,” she emphasized the importance of African American women being included in the fight for women’s rights. Harper couldn’t stand that African American women were facing both racism and sexism at the same time. “She reminds me to always fight for women’s rights, especially as they are beginning to dwindle now,” states Bordelon.
After highlighting the more life-changing political contributions of Black Americans, let’s shift the focus to those that have changed American society in different ways, such as art, music, and culture.
Stepin Fetchit
Stepin Fetchit was the stage name of Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, the amazing American comedian and film actor. He was considered to be the first black actor to have a successful film career, with a featured screen credit and networth of over a million dollars in the mid 20th century.
Nicki Minaj
Ms. Onika Maraj, otherwise known as Nicki Minaj, is a world-renowned rapper from Queens. With her amazing wordplay, rhymes, and playful personality, Minaj broke barriers and paved the way for many female rappers in the male-dominated rap industry. She made history as the first female rapper to have reached one billion views on YouTube with her hit song, Anaconda in 2014. Since then, Minaj has continued to release chart-topping music and recently announced a new album, Pink Friday 3. Fans, also known as Barbs, have been ecstatic about the news. “I absolutely can’t wait to hear this project because I loved Pink Friday 1 and 2,” says Junior Camron Baker.
In conclusion, African Americans have made many contributions to American society, socially, culturally, and politically. From monumental figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper to cultural icons like Stepin Fetchit and Nicki Minaj, their contributions remind us of the resilience, creativity, and impact of Black Americans throughout history. That’s why Black History Month is so important—to honor their legacy and inspire future generations to make change.
