Carter G. Woodson´s, the founder of Black History Month, original mission was to utilize history as an instrument of restoration and liberation for people of African descent in the United States. However, many professionals in urban communities fail to remember El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Malcolm X, one of Black America´s foremost freedom fighters was assassinated on February 21.

     Malcolm X once declared that, “Of all our studies, History is most qualified to reward all research.” He was specifically urging Africans in America to study the freedom struggles of other oppressed people to learn lessons about how to advance the fight for liberation in the U.S. For Malcolm the study of history had a purpose — education for liberation. Carter G. Woodson was convinced that if Africans in America were to overcome centuries of enslavement and degradation, it was critical that history and culture be used as tools to inform, inspire and encourage our people to fight for dignity, self-respect and equality. Woodson taught the study of history to free our minds from the shackles of Eurocentric cultural-historical domination, to see and analyze the world through the prism of our own history, condition and aspirations and to act to fulfill our interests as a race/people accordingly.

     Black people are understandably proud to have President Barack Obama as the first Black President. However, the ugly head of racism is easily seen in the persistence of covert and overt prejudice and structural/institutional racism in America. The vicious reaction by a minority of White Americans to the election of a Black President seem to make headlines in newspapers and periodicals across The U.S. Polls indicate that a significant number of Americans question whether Barack Obama is a legitimate citizen despite the fact that he has been vetted as a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate. The so called “birther movement” has led to several states proposing legislation that would require presidential candidates to produce valid birth certificates to secure ballot status. Anchored by prejudice/bigotry, the Tea Party Patriot Movement have become a formidable force contending for power at all levels, including the Congress of the United States.

     This poisonous atmosphere serves as an impediment to Black America fulfilling our aspirations. The “State of Emergency” in Black America is a direct consequence of the de-emphasis on race-based initiatives to combat the chronic economic recession, and depression like conditions plaguing urban-inner city areas in this country. The racial consciousness developed as a result of an awareness of our history and culture dictates that we shatter racial barriers to allow millions to have access to opportunities denied to their ancestors. We urgently need a critical mass of Blacks of all walks of life, but particularly the newly endowed middle and upper class professionals, the rich artists, athletes and entertainers to be imbued with the history, heritage and culture. Black people need to develop a sense of accountability, duty and responsibility to contribute their time, talent and resources to uplift the Black community.