Schools were not teaching African American history when Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week on February 19, 1926. Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month and has since tried to emphasize a history written out of traditional historical textbooks.

Flash forward to the twenty-first century where Black American contributions to society have been more recognized. Has the noble purpose of Black History Month become outdated in the relative equality blacks now have?

"I feel that at this moment it is definitely necessary. Not everyone is aware of black culture," first year pre-med major Gina Jean-Francois said. For her, Black History Month gives people perspectives of African-American culture other than hip-hop and "ghetto-central. "

Fourth year psychology major Gary Feldman does not totally disagree: "I think it was necessary at a time to awaken people's awareness. It can't just be a once a year thing though. We need to take it a step further."

"I feel Black History Month is good. It's a way of reflecting," computer engineering sophomore Smith Lordeus said. "If you look at our history, it's very rich and it's good for everyone to know, especially black people. It's encouraging to know our past success as well as failures. It helps us to see where we are at right now."

University of Florida students such as first year Spanish and Pre-med student Willie Jackson feel programs put on during Black History Month serve as a unifying and educational experience. "I learn about facts, Martin Luther King, the middle passage, family history, and issues," Jackson said, adding, "Black History Month is like a memorial month-for America and the world to recognize."

David Castro, an aerospace engineering freshman, feels this month makes people remember that everyone is created equal. He has a difficult time wondering why this recognition would bother anyone. "I don't see their values and what their argument is," Castro said.

Amanda Bhikhara is a Master's student in Health Administration and a graduate assistant at the Institute of Black Culture. She is helping coordinate the events for Black History Month. Her goals of Black History Month are to increase unity and awareness. "I feel that Black History Month is necessary because it brings about awareness to UF and the Gainesville community," Bhikhara said. She hopes everyone can attend the events so they can learn more about black history.

Feldman, while interested in black history, said Black History Month does not teach people how to properly interact with each other. "I didn't learn how to treat people with respect, through Black History Month," Feldman said.

Zoology senior Gagewyn Randtke thinks Black History Month does more harm than good. Though she wants to learn more about black culture, she regards the events put on during the month as a waste of time. "If we had something smaller like a week or a George Washington Carver's birthday, it would mean more because a month is a long time. It just makes it more shallow and people do lip service," Randtke said. She also feels that black history should not be separate: "It should be part of normal history." Randtke's comment speaks to the heart of the issue. Are black achievements continuing to be left out of history, thereby making a separate focus on black history essential?

This seems to be the case with Korean students, Kyongok Paik and Heenam Park. First-year linguistics major Paik and third-year linguistics major Park feel they have not been exposed to African-American history even as students in America. "I didn't know about Black History Month or black history," Park said.

"When I was in Korea, I learned about European-American history but not African-American history," Paik said.

For marketing senior Darren Novish, this fact parallels his experience in American high schools. "Black history is not really taught in high school. We learn about Christopher Columbus, but I don't remember learning about any prominent black figures in history except Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman," Novish said.

Jackson had gone through a similar experience. "In high school we were not given time to study African history," he said. "We are considered a minority so we get a minor part in history."

The debate continues: Bhikara cannot think of a time when she thinks Black History Month will not be necessary, though she hopes for it. Randtke feels the time is here today. Jackson disagrees, saying, "Unfortunately, I cannot believe that. I don't hold that opinion because my own experience has shown me there is still bias."

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