Black History Month should be incorporated into more classes

For those who may be unaware, February isBlack History Month. Black History Month is a yearly event that celebrates achievements and contributions that black Americans have made to U.S. history.

The United States joins Canada, the United Kingdom and more in dedicating a month to the achievements of black people in their home countries.

For black Americans, this month means a lot – especially in a time where minority groups feel afraid to be themselves.

Throughout the majority of February, USD’s campus groups have held a few events relating to Black History Month. On the first day of February, campus groups organized an event in the Muenster University Center pit lounge, where people were invited to watch movies and eat food with cultural relevance to African Americans.

Though events like this are important and are incredible opportunities for students to learn and feel included, they’re also optional and not widely advertised. I love attending a college that promotes diversity-related events, especially in an area like South Dakota where a lot of students are from small, mostly white towns.

But in order to be dedicated to diversity and inclusion as USD proudly states on their website, students and staff members should be required, or even strongly encouraged, to incorporate Black History Month in their classrooms.

It’s easy to quickly write off this idea. How does a statistics professor teach black history? How will every professor be able to participate? Firstly, I believe there are many ways in any subject to incorporate contributions.

For example, in a philosophy class, a professor could devote a few minutes of class time a couple days out of the month to discussing black philosophers.

I’m not asking that each professor incorporate black history every day, but even one or two references to black history in the subject material doesn’t seem like too much to ask.

It’s also necessary to point out that Black History Month isn’t the only month dedicated to the history of a race. Native American Appreciation Month and Asian-Pacific American Month exist as well, and shouldn’t be written off.

In a time where many are feeling excluded, simply recognizing the works and contributions by black Americans in everyday life is something that will be beneficial for everyone involved.