Here it is, Black History Month, offering an opportunity for healthy dialogues so often lacking from the other 11 months of the year and our everyday lives. Let’s make these 28 days count and focus not only on history and contrition, but also, more importantly, on progress, both achieved and potential.

Indeed, we should reflect upon not only established histories, but also on the process through which history develops and the pliable nature of our accepted narratives. We should continue the process of rewriting the struggles and triumphs of adversity in our academic and cultural records.

School children across the country will pick up texts on Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks this month, yet how many adults will take the time to pause and acknowledge the importance of this period of national reverence?

For example, the City of Somerville Web site notably lacks mention or recognition of the month’s significance. Special events are undoubtedly planned throughout the city, however publicity and support for these activities is distressingly hard to find.
Is it fair to ask, if someone looking could not find it, how do they expect to reach a wider audience?

This month citizens should consciously endeavor to look beyond PBS specials, and acknowledge the omnipresent, yet obdurately silent, conflicting thoughts of penitence, hope and frustration which surround issues of race here in this city, the state, throughout the country and beyond.