Dedicating a month to celebrating and acknowledging black history contradicts the purpose behind creating such an event.

America’s story is one of exploiting people of color and then completely ignoring any contributions they have made.

The holiday’s existence unknowingly highlights the issue of history courses largely disregarding black peoples’ role in American history and heritage.

A Southern Poverty Law Center study graded each state on their educational coverage of the civil rights movement. Not only did 20 states receive an F, but five states’ standards didn’t require the movement be taught at all.

Promoting the recognition of black heritage for just one month is nothing more than an attempt to compensate for the shameful lack of black history covered in American curriculums.

Celebrating Black History Month allows both educators and students to consider the many critical contributions of black people for only four weeks and proceed to study white-focused history for the rest of the year, feeling they have combated racism.

Recognizing black history for only one month a year allows this embarrassing and racist habit of ignorance to continue.

Alotting just 28 days to the recognition of the contributions that black people have made to American history is disrespectful.

Educators must develop a history curriculum recognizing black history as being a part of American history on a regular basis rather than just every February.

Although I do believe black history should be a crucial part of the education system, it is also important to be mindful to the month itself. It is imperative to recognize the achievements of black people throughout history.

Black History Month first began in 1926 as one week and took nearly 50 years to turn the event into a full month of acknowledgment, according to an article written by the History Channel.

Especially in a time like today with the increasing popularity and awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement, the least Americans can do is to take one month out of the year to stop and dedicate accomplishments made by the black community.

The removal of the month would be another suppression of the black community, which represents  13.3 percent of the U.S. population, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Honoring black history helps Americans familiarize ourselves with the privilege we’ve grown throughout the years. It celebrates and embraces diversity within the country, acknowledging not only black history but also American history, which is a part of the month’s significance.

Achievements made by black Americans throughout our nation’s development are a part of the U.S. history.

Plus, as Americans, it would make sense to take one month to recognize leaders that helped build this nation. Otherwise, you get people like  President Trump, who aren’t aware the abolitionist Frederick Douglass has been dead for more than 122 years. This is why we need at least one month.