Throughout my life, I have always asked myself what it meant to be something. I started reading African history in mid-school because it wasn’t in history books. The school system failed us when it came to teaching the positive impact of African history. It’s so unfortunate to see most African schools teaching colonial and slavery stories than the positive contributions of Africans.

The more I read and learn about African history, the more I realized that the story of Africa is not just about slavery. Long before the Greek and Roman empire, large kingdoms were built in Africa. The Moors who ruled Spain in the 8th and 15th century had seventeen universities during an era when Europe had only two. The victory of Adwa was an inspiration for the rest of African to fight colonialism. Our ancestors made huge sacrifices at Adwa in hope of creating a better life for us. Researching African history is one of the most liberating thing we can do to understand the rich contributions of our forefathers. The lack of strong Pan African media is still the main reason for the triumph of negative narration about Africa. The school system and entertainment industries must tell us more about the accomplishments and astounding impacts of African than the negative legacy of colonialism.

Nelson Mandela, Kwamen Nkurmah, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Hailesilasse I, Jomo Kenyatta, Taytu Bitul, Stive Beko, Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Mohammed Ali, Harriet Tubman, and many other African and African Americans have made significant contributions to the development of social justice and freedom of black people. Nelson Mandela taught us the power of forgiveness and made us understood love and hope. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks showed us that peaceful protest could create political reforms than violence. Ethiopian Impress Tayetu Bitul showed us the power of women in decision-making. Malcom X, Mohammed Ali, and Bob Marley taught us how important it’s to build a society where everyone has a voice. There is much to be learned, valued, and perceived from these great people. We must follow and preserve the wisdom and traditions that our forefathers established as a foundation for Africa.

February is Black History Month. We are celebrating the achievement and contributions of people who came before us and paved the way where we are today. As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s also essential to recognize the responsibility we all share to create a better future for the next generations.