Tomorrow is the first day of February, which means it is the start of Black History month. Since its beginning as the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, what was originally Negro History Week has become a full-blown month. Today, Black History Month still brings up painful memories of American history.

Usually, the month evokes detractors, who say the month separates blacks from American history and is often ignored the rest of the year. Black History Month is a chance to emphasize the achievements of blacks within the concept of American history. There are misconceptions on this, and most are held by many in society. I think that it is time to set the record straight.

The month is not just for black people. The month is for everyone to look at the trials and triumphs of African-Americans in the quest to find understanding of their struggle in relation to another group of people to find that we are more similar than we are different.

A white male from Whitefish Bay can learn lessons of sacrifice, courage and determination from the activism of blacks in this country. The inspirational stories of black leaders throughout history can touch the hearts of many through their aspirations of building a society of diversity and equality.

A big misconception is that black history begins with slavery and ends with the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Institutions without a sense of black consciousness roll out the same three people: Harriet Tubman, MLK and Parks, as the primary black figures of American history.

Many people never get a chance to learn about the debates between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois or learn that A. Phillip Randolph was the first to come up with the idea for the March on Washington. The stories of people like Malcolm X, Huey Newton and Nikki Giovanni often go unnoticed. Black History Month is an opportunity for these people to have their achievements highlighted, even if it means that they are typically ignored throughout the year.

Throughout this month there are many activities offered on campus as well as off campus to provide a more insightful look into black history. I suggest that in your free time from classes, work and perhaps excessive drinking, you look into these events, especially the Black Holocaust Museum.

The museum is in danger of closing and can use all the help it can get. The museum offers much information about national black history. It also offers local stories about the movement in Milwaukee. Marquette offers a myriad of events, which are listed on calendars posted across the campus. If you are so inclined to ignore a night of debauchery, I suggest you go to one of the events.

The importance of this month can be lost among people, but many events during this time can give you the necessary information to engage with your fellow students across campus about issues that you normally would not talk about. This month brings people together in hopes that a change will come to make the words of the founders of this country ring true in terms of equality among all citizens of this country.

If, after this month, you are not inspired and realize the importance of Black History Month, then take solace that in March, as quoted in the Onion "Americans of every color will set aside their differences to celebrate White History Year."