Let's all celebrate Mississippi's Black History Month

As everyone should know, this month we celebrate black history. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to attend any Black History Month events, but the university offers a wonderful selection of programs and lectures. I’ve been to some in the past, and I urge everyone to attend at some point.

What many citizens fail to realize is that February is a time for all Mississippians to commemorate black history. This state is immersed in many of the results of black history and this is a time for us, as a state, to celebrate and remember our past and continue to move forward into our future.

This is especially important to Oxford and the University of Mississippi community. Oxford borders the Delta region — an area brimming with black history, and the University of Mississippi has been a part of history for many years. 

James Meredith was the first black person to attend the Ole Miss. Meredith helped make it possible for all blacks to attend the university. Furthermore, Meredith’s integration helped mold the beloved university we all attend today. We should all be thankful to Meredith for his courage and work in shaping Ole Miss.

Our neighbors in the Delta live in the heartland of the blues. Musicians like Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Robert Johnson and many more in the Delta created the blues.

This didn’t just shape music in Mississippi but played a major role in producing a vivid Mississippi culture. 

Without these musicians, Mississippi would not be the place that it is today and it would not be as rich in culture. If you ever have a long weekend, visit the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale; you won’t be disappointed.

While our state is blessed with musical legends, we also host many other talented individuals — including actors and personalities Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey; authors Anne Moody and Richard Wright. 

Our state has produced a music genre that is internationally known and loved. Mississippi is the birthplace of so many talented individuals. 

While we always tend to focus on the negative characteristics of the state, it’s important that we remember all the positive people and things that have come out of Mississippi. 

While Mississippi has birthed musical legends, actors and authors, the state has also seen a number of politicians and politicos over the years. 

Hiram Revels was the first black senator in the United States. James Bevel, Charles Evers and Medgar Evers were all well-known leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. 

Fannie Lou Hamer also played a major role in the movement and in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Standing before the Democratic National Convention broadcast on national television, Hamer addressed the convention in her quest to represent Mississippi and have her delegation seated. 

Few people know of Ruby Bridges, the first black child to attend an all-white school. Bridges was born in Mississippi before moving to New Orleans, where she integrated a school.

Mississippi natives have played a significant role in the politics of the country over the years. 

I’ve only hit the surface of black history in Mississippi. As you can see, blacks have significantly shaped the state in which we live and call home. 

They have played a major role in the formation of our culture. Because we are now a part of this culture, it’s important that we celebrate black history. 

Without the blacks who came before us, we would not be where we are today.

Adam Blackwell is a sophomore public policy leadership major from Natchez. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBlackwell1.