Black History Month: A Call to Keep Moving Forward

In Baltimore, February feels heavy because the city has to remember its past while looking at its future. Students gather for speeches, museums display pictures, and city leaders speak about history. Yet, the real work lies beyond these events. A young boy in Baltimore once worked in a shipyard and secretly learned to read. That act of learning was his first step toward demanding respect and equality. He saw how the country’s promises of freedom did not match its treatment of people like him. The city still faces problems. Violence, poverty, and mistrust between neighborhoods and police are daily realities. Celebrations of history can feel disconnected from these hardships. The story shows that dignity is not granted by laws alone. It must be built in schools, courts, and everyday interactions. The city has had Black leaders for years, but having them in office does not automatically fix economic gaps or trust issues.Past efforts to improve the city have been made, but many promises were not kept. People wonder why they must keep proving their worth when the city should support them instead. The boy who learned to read became a man who could change the nation’s laws. He proved that speaking up and being seen are powerful forces. The city should listen to this lesson. When students recite his words, they practice being part of a society that values everyone. They test whether the idea of equality still matters today. The city’s leaders must decide whether to treat history as decoration or learning. The past should guide present actions, not just inspire pride. In Baltimore, the fight for dignity continues. It is a daily practice that requires action in classrooms and on streets alike. The work does not stop when February ends; it must keep moving forward.