Black History Month has always been a time of reflection and introspection. It is a time to take a moment, however brief, to marvel at the rich tapestry of preserved Black cultural traditions and heritage, acknowledge the extraordinary societal contributions of Black leaders and pioneers, and draw strength and inspiration from the sacrifices and achievements of celebrated leaders and legendary ancestors.
More than merely honoring ancestral achievements, celebrating Black History Month honors the tangible and intangible contributions of Black resilience, including collective self-awareness, collective self-confidence, and collective self-agency skills.
Knowing one’s history contributes to one’s mental well-being because it validates one’s heritage, thereby increasing cultural pride, affirming self-identity, and bolstering self-worth- especially important when facing microaggressions and negative stereotypes.
Understanding how racially motivated adversity and atrocities gave birth to undeniable tenacity and triumphs within the context of one’s ancestral history provides a historical roadmap that informs one’s critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and adaptive problem-solving in the face of current challenges.
The Dangers of Losing Historic Connections
Increasingly, though, opportunities to learn and draw strength from Black resilience within the context of Black history are becoming less accessible. Ongoing efforts across many states to eliminate the Black historical narrative from the curricula within educational institutions continue to gain momentum.
The result? There is now limited access to books written by black authors, elimination of discussions about racial history, and a downplaying of the significance of slavery. Questions about the relevance of Black History Month and other such celebrations threaten to erase the existence and acknowledgment of Black history—and its associated lessons in moral courage, unflinching faith, and relentless resilience.
From a psychological perspective, the elimination of intergenerational examples of historical resilience within Black culture can negatively affect the development of key individual resiliency traits, such as self-understanding and self-regulation. Black resiliency necessitates being able to place (and understand) oneself in a broader historical context. It also draws strength and guidance from proven self-control strategies used by one’s ancestors to safeguard their mental, emotional, and overall well-being in the face of systemic and existential challenges.
As opportunities to explore, study, and draw inspiration from the cultural practices, shared experiences, and ancestral wisdom embedded in Black history continue to shrink, we, as a community, and a country, are challenged to use this Black History Month to not only celebrate but concentrate on the protection and preservation of Black history.
Why fight to preserve Black History?
Because Black history is inextricably tied to the promotion and perpetuation of Black resilience, which historically has always been tied to individual and collective survival. Together, they serve as twin pillars withstanding the prevailing winds of historical erasure that threaten to eradicate societal understanding of the unique and invaluable contributions of Black culture- a critical aspect of American heritage. Erasing Black history means separating individuals from the empowering knowledge of their struggles, triumphs, and contributions; disaffirming their individual and collective identities; increasing their vulnerability to internalized negative self-perceptions; and removing opportunities for intergenerational coping and healing.
Weakening the pillar of Black history ultimately weakens the pillar of Black resilience, which, unlike other types of individually grit-based resilience, is a collective experience. Black resilience is shaped by history, in particular, the legacy of slavery, segregation, and racial injustice. Unlike traditional resilience models, it incorporates cultural pride and draws heavily from the lessons and legacies of ancestral wisdom. It is committed to the transmission of historical intergenerational strength through multiple avenues, including but not limited to storytelling, family networks, rituals, community, advocacy faith-based practices, social movements, art, music (gospel, hip hop, jazz), mentorship, sports, education, grassroots and organized activities, allyship and ritual celebrations (i.e., Juneteenth).
Ultimately, the pillars of Black history and Black resilience are foundational to American history and to society at large. Erasing them doesn’t just weaken a people: it weakens society by diminishing collective knowledge, respect, appreciation, equity and empathy and progress. It also makes us less capable of addressing ongoing challenges.
Wielding the Shield and the Sword: Fighting for the Future of Black History
Moving forward will require more than hope and optimism. It will take intention, determination, and sustained action to make sure that Black history and Black resilience are not just highlighted in February but fully integrated into everyday life. From reclaiming narratives to supporting independently owned businesses, to legal advocacy, to grassroots activities, to political activism, mentorship, and faith-based initiatives, we (meaning everyone–not just Black people) must be individually and collectively committed to the protection and preservation of Black history and the promotion of Black resilience.
Ultimately, no act of support for Black history or Black culture is too small. Even tiny, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness, caring, and compassion can have a profound impact by planting seeds of faith and hope in the harsh and unforgiving soil of racism and anti-Blackness. As history has often shown, repeated micro-actions by committed individuals standing together, regardless of race, can create a ripple effect that protects the promise of a more equitable and inclusive future—a promise that Black resilience has preserved and propagated through centuries of opposition and persecution.
For anyone committed to the ongoing fight for preservation and protection, it’s worth remembering that Black resilience, though collective, starts with the individual experience. Fighting to preserve it, promises to be a grueling, unforgiving, relentless, and potentially all-consuming battle. Self-care and self-preservation are critical internal resiliencies that should not be sacrificed as the battle escalates into a war.
Why? Because it’s hard to win a battle if the soldiers are worn down or dead.
Maya Angelou’s timeless words- “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it”—remind us that Black resilience is both a shield and a sword, capable of accepting a painful reality yet refusing to succumb to it. Black history must continue to serve as the irreducible reservoir of knowledge, determination, faith, and pride from which today’s leaders can draw strength, courage, and wisdom to continue the work of ensuring that historical sacrifices, struggles, and achievements are not erased as the battle for a more equitable and inclusive future intensifies.
Dr. Derek H. Suite is a board-certified high-performance psychiatrist and nationally recognized physician-leader. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Suite currently serves as the lead sports psychiatric consultant to four iconic sports franchises—the New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Rangers, and formerly the New York Liberty. He is also the Lead Restorative Practices Clinician Consultant for Major League Soccer (MLS), providing expert critical incident guidance and restorative interventions. Dr. Suite’s influence extends beyond sports, having provided professional evaluations and strategic mental wellness program consultation to mission-critical leaders within local, state, and federal agencies, including the United States Congress, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the United States Army. His success lies in seamlessly integrating evidence-based interventions with leadership psychology, allowing organizations to excel under high-stakes conditions. As the founder and CEO of Full Circle Confidential, a nationally recognized resource for sports mental performance and executive leadership coaching, Dr. Suite oversees a team of highly trained professionals providing confidential peak performance consultation to elite athletes, C-suite executives, and leaders in mission-critical roles. His work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, The Psychiatric Times, and Black Enterprise Magazine, underscoring his national reputation as a leader in the field of mental health and performance psychology. Dr. Suite’s scholarship includes published articles on healthcare disparities, intimate partner violence, resilience, and trauma, showcasing his ability to translate clinical research into practical, real-world solutions. His multidimensional coaching philosophy is rooted in integrating medical science with leadership strategy to address underlying conditions that impact performance, including sleep, mood & anxiety, addictions, cultural context, and stress-related issues
Black history is for everyone. It’s not just the month of February is every day of the year every minute. We all have the same creator we come from him and we’re going back to him. We’re all connected and we all have a combined history not just black history, white history, Chinese history or whatever it’s everybody’s history every human being history we all have the same blood just different types. Once you get past the color underneath it’s just different types of life life-saving blood for all of us if we share it.