by Erin Parker

With all of the diversity surrounding campuses across the nation, it is hard to imagine what it would be like if students of color were not present at school. The thought of not being able to go to school because someone else looks different is extremely hard to comprehend.  But almost a half a century ago things were extremely different.

            Many students today do not realize the true importance of the decision of Brown vs. Board of Education back in 1954, yet it still has a profound impact on students today. In 1957 a group of black children were sent to a school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Despite the mob of entirely white protesters, President Eisenhower sent troops to protect these children so that they could attend an all white school. Most of us could not even comprehend the challenge it would be to face and overcome such hatred.

            Before Brown vs. Board was implemented, black students were separated by law in what what’s called “separate but equal.” It was actually during the 1960’s that protests began to erupt in the United States for African American’s to be guaranteed their rights. In Greensboro, North Carolina, college students started a sit-in-protest that was never to be forgotten in African American history. These college students, who were barely older than a high school senior, saw a problem with the way they were being treated and decided to speak up about it. After this there were a series of protests including that of Rosa Parks. Revolutionary leaders rose up such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X caused people to rise up and try to mend the inequality that was segregating the nation.

Today African Americans are still taking the slow steps of integrating into society as complete equals. Even recently African Americans are making history. Barack Obama has a possibility of becoming America’s first African American President. Tony Dungy was the first African American coach to win an NFL Superbowl. While most of the nation still sees African Americans in correlation with high success in sports, it even more important to realize the rich history that it took to even allow African American players on a team.

There are still many setbacks towards equality such as poor education for inner city students and dealing with stereotypes. However what needs to be realized is that African American’s can add so much to the community in helping to educate in the  negativity of stereotyping and promoting the understanding of cultural diversity. Black History Month allows us to not only appreciate the struggles that African American’s have overcome, but gives students of all color an opportunity to realize that by being the culturally and racially unique individuals that we are, we can create a more peaceful and tolerant society.

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