In its 41st birthday, Black History Month falls at a time where race-relations in America have become even further complicated. Political ties and race-specific conflicts have escalated, separated a population and prompted people to take strong stands against the opposition.

American people feel adversity from within. One side feels that society has moved past them, alienating their values; the other feel discrimination and racism has now been hidden under a new movement: a wave of far-right policies.

As people continue to take sides, Black History Month aids to the conversation surrounding the division of the American public, specifically regarding race, as well as its necessity for America and its African-American population.  

The Mentor Editorial Board agreed in the need for a Black History Month for its importance and remembrance of African-American history. It is important to remember the hardships of minorities in the country, if anything because of the impact it has on our society today. Black History Month is a tribute necessary for our multicultural population to flourish, unselfishly honored by white Americans by putting others first, and not letting mistakes such as slavery and segregation be repeated.

Although the fruits of pro-black movements could be the road to unity, we have to be careful, in our call for equality and acceptance, not to further encourage division and point fingers at those who don’t think like us. A push from pro-black, as well as other groups associated with the left, have caused a belief that counter-racism is happening both socially and economically. We cannot become more divided because minorities are pushed forward. There needs to be camaraderie from both sides: tolerance, respect and a push away from factions creating martyrs on either side.  

Whatever side is in protests or in rejection to their opposition, our goal should be to embrace each other and our history; our shared American story which is built on personal successes, but also division and segregation.

At a time when coincidentally there are protests all over the country, even a riot which broke out at UC Berkeley, the importance of Black History Month, and its message of solidarity and togetherness, even if only through the African-American community, matters.