Are we learning and remembering or is it just another month of the year people forget to learn from the past?

Every February, Black History Month is marked by tributes, social media posts and public events aimed at honoring the contributions of Black people to society. Beyond the hashtags and corporate statements, the question arises: Is Black History Month genuinely celebrated, or has it become an act of tokenism? 

Companies and institutions often amplify aspects of Black culture during February but fall silent for the rest of the year. Highlighting figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks, though important, often overshadows broader, contemporary conversations about Black achievements, struggles and systemic inequities. This selective recognition risks reducing Black history to a curated set of “safe” stories that fail to capture the depth and diversity of Black experiences. 

“It reminds me of Blackout Tuesday on social media. Everyone was posting black squares, but what did it really accomplish? If we’re going to honor Black lives, it needs to go beyond the surface. We need real conversations, real change, and actual inclusion—not just a moment of silence online.” said Kamesha Ram, a second-year criminology student. 

This complexity extends to the entertainment industry. Disney’s 2023 decision to cast a Black actress as Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid was celebrated by many as a step toward inclusivity. However, it also sparked debates about representation in Hollywood. Ariel’s story, historically tied to white narratives, illustrates a broader issue: inserting Blackness into pre-existing frameworks rather than creating original narratives that authentically center Black voices and experiences. 

While representation matters, the approach must go beyond optics. Seeing a Black actress as Ariel can inspire young children, but when Black characters are added to existing narratives without addressing deeper inequities, it can feel superficial. Authentic representation requires investing in Black creators, writers and filmmakers to tell original stories rooted in their lived realities, rather than retrofitting Blackness into established tales. 

Loveon Burford, a first-year social work student, makes an important point about Black History Month, calling it a time of mourning, celebration and remembrance for Black people. She explains that her personal connection to Black history is what gives the month its meaning. Without that connection, it can feel like just another “woke” gesture. As Burford says, “If you aren’t connected to the history personally, then it’s going to look like nothing to you but tokenism.” 

Black History Month and initiatives like Disney’s casting decisions highlight a larger conversation about performative gestures versus meaningful action. True representation extends beyond a single month or isolated gestures—it demands sustained effort, sincerity and authenticity. 

To genuinely celebrate Black history, society must ensure that Black voices are heard, and stories are told year-round. Only then can we move beyond tokenism toward meaningful engagement with Black culture, heritage and futures. 

This story was originally published in Volume 24, Issue 6 on February 6, 2025