As Black History month comes to a close, I wanted to share a few thoughts that I have on this matter.

1. Black History is American history. Such can be said of all the races and cultures that make up the beautiful fabric called the United States of America.  Shouldn’t it be that the advances of one race and/ or culture raises the standing of all Americans?
2. No more hiding and disguising. We must stop trying to hide the shame of slavery, segregation, and other civil right injustices. It happened. Acknowledging the wrong doing is necessary for healing of the country and future growth.  Allowing those who feel the impacts, even generations later, to be free in their grief.  Just like how a parent hurts, when their child hurts, so does the child for the parent, grandparent, and past ancestors. It is natural to feel pain for another, even more so, when it touches your family. Grieving is the first step in healing. Then, we can focus on building a better future for all of our children, where discrimination, in all forms, is abhorred and outlawed.
3. See the beauty in others. The only standard of beauty is love. Hate obscures and distorts one’s vision. God choose for each one of us to be here. We are all different and here with a purpose. The greatest commandment Jesus gave us was to “love one another, as I have loved you” ( John 13:34).

I am so thankful for all of those who sacrificed for the freedoms that I experience today. I do not take it for granted, I  know that, in many ways, I am very fortunate. Yet, in some areas, I still face the struggle. I promise to not give up, lose hope, or stop loving. For I do believe that the love God gave all of us is the answer. Let’s stand in truth and love. By doing so, we’ll watch our children blossom.

God bless.