Why Black History Month Is More Necessary Than Ever—And Why They’re Trying to Erase It

A powerful street art mural depicting a man with bandages over his mouth, symbolizing the suppression of Black history. The background features layers of torn posters and paint, representing censorship and the erasure of Black narratives in education and public discourse.

By Michael Smith

Every February, the Performative Support Rolls In... and So Do the Attacks

Every February, like clockwork, corporate America dusts off its MLK quotes and Black History Month ads, the same way they dig up rainbow flags every June. But if you look a little closer this year, you’ll notice something different:

Black history itself is under attack.

From banned books to curriculum crackdowns, from the erasure of slavery’s role in America’s foundation to politicians labeling DEI as “divisive,” the fight to tell Black history accurately and unapologetically is more urgent than ever.

So while some folks want to reduce Black History Month to a corporate marketing campaign, let’s take a step back and remember why it exists in the first place—and why those in power have always been uncomfortable with it.

The Origins of Black History Month: A Necessity, Not a Favor

Black History Month didn’t start because America suddenly grew a conscience about its treatment of Black people. It was born out of necessity—because if we didn’t tell our own history, no one else would.

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, a historian and the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, created Negro History Week. His goal? To ensure Black stories were taught in schools, because mainstream education refused to acknowledge them.
He chose February to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, both pivotal figures in the fight against slavery.
By 1976, the movement had grown, and President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans.”

Sounds good, right? But the truth is, mainstream America has never been entirely comfortable with Black history. And the attacks we’re seeing today? They’re nothing new.

The Political War on Black History: New Tactics, Same Agenda

In 2025, acknowledging Black history has somehow become controversial again—not because it’s inaccurate, but because it forces people to confront uncomfortable truths.

🚨 Banning Books, Silencing Stories

More than 1,500 books were banned in U.S. schools last year, many of them focusing on Black history and racial injustice.
Works by Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and even books about Ruby Bridges—yes, a little girl who simply wanted to go to school—are being ripped off shelves.
(PEN America)

🚨 The Fight Against “Divisive” History

Florida and Texas have passed laws restricting how race can be taught in schools.
AP African American Studies was gutted after conservative backlash, with key topics like Black feminism, reparations, and intersectionality conveniently removed.
DEI programs are being slashed under the guise of “eliminating racial preferences,” while white privilege remains unchallenged.

🚨 The Trump Administration’s Role in Dismantling Black Education

Trump’s executive orders have aggressively dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, banning federal agencies from implementing racial sensitivity training.
His administration revived the 1776 Commission, a historical rewrite that attempts to minimize the role of slavery and systemic racism in America’s foundation.
Since returning to office, Trump has doubled down on his push for “patriotic education”, a thinly veiled attempt to erase Black struggles from school curricula while prioritizing narratives that uphold whitewashed versions of American history.

His message is clear: If Black history challenges the status quo, it’s got to go.

Why Black History Month Still Matters—Now More Than Ever

Some people like to ask, “Why do we still need Black History Month?” The answer is simple: because the fight to tell the truth isn’t over.

Because our stories are still being erased.
Because our contributions are still overlooked.
Because they’re still trying to convince us that history is “just history” instead of a blueprint for the present.

Black History Month is not just about celebration—it’s about resistance. It’s about pushing back against the erasure, the whitewashing, and the selective memory that keeps this country comfortable.

Reflection: The Future of Black History Is in Our Hands

Carter G. Woodson didn’t create Negro History Week for it to be a feel-good moment or a corporate PR stunt. He did it because he understood that history is power—and those who control it, control the future.

So, in a time when powerful forces are fighting to suppress the truth, we have a choice: Will we allow them to erase us, or will we continue to tell our stories, loudly and unapologetically?

That’s the real purpose of Black History Month. Not just to remember—but to resist.

🔗 Read More at ReflectiveMVS.com