Black History Month, celebrated each February, is an opportunity to recognize and highlight the contributions of Afro-descendent people to history, culture, and society. This month is much more than a one-off celebration: it recognizes the invaluable contributions of this population to our societies and makes visible their struggles against historical and current injustices.
Why is Black History Month important?
This is a direct response to centuries of imposed silence on the stories, cultures and achievements of black people. Too often, the history of Afro-descendant people has been marginalized, and the realities they still face today remain largely invisible in the public space. This month invites us to question versions of history that ignore these realities while creating spaces to amplify and value the voices of those involved.
By recognizing these dynamics of inequality, we confront historical and current structures that favour some groups over others. These structures are not the fruit of chance but the consequences of violence stemming from policies, mistaken beliefs and practices rooted in centuries of hierarchizing human life.
Acknowledging these realities means tackling a system built to produce and reproduce dynamics of exclusion that benefit the generally more privileged individuals and majority groups. These dynamics of inequality, which can be observed in education, employment, healthcare or the justice system, are neither accidental nor limited to individual experiences. They are the product of mechanisms historically established to maintain hierarchies of power and inequalities.
A commitment that goes beyond February
While Black History Month encourages us to think and act, it’s crucial to remember that this mobilization cannot be limited to 28 days. The consequences of a system that marginalizes black people are omnipresent, perpetuating inequalities daily. Disregarding these realities is tantamount to participating in this perpetuation: invisibilization and indifference are potent tools for maintaining these dynamics.
Transforming this reflection into action requires constant vigilance, a willingness to decentralize one’s privileges, and a questioning of the norms that reproduce exclusion. Talk is not enough: we need to acknowledge past mistakes, demand reparations, redistribute power, and engage in a daily struggle to prevent these injustices from continuing to recur.
Let’s take action together
At Mission inclusion, we recognize the vital contribution of black people to our society and the historical and contemporary issues that arise from it. We are committed to better understanding the issues that perpetuate inequality, celebrating the rich contribution of our heritages, continually educating ourselves and denouncing these inequalities, and acting for greater social justice.
Black History Month is not an end in itself but a spark. It calls for radical transformation that can only be achieved through a collective and ongoing commitment. It demands that we change our ways of thinking, acting, and sharing power. Mission Inclusion is committed to moving beyond words to action. We want to co-build an inclusive world with our partners and communities day by day.
Fadwa Cherraj
Advisor
Gender equality and social inclusion
Mission inclusion