MonticelloLive

February is designated by the President as National African-American History Month. It is a time for honoring and exploring the culture and history of black Americans and recognizing that our society’s rich diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It is also an opportunity to unite around the fundamental values that all Americans share and to work to ensure that our laws, our actions, and our words honor the rights and dignity of every human being.

This month, we acknowledge the significant contributions of African Americans to our State and our Nation in the areas of business, education, the arts, politics, law, and medicine. This month also presents an opportunity for all Arkansans to learn more about the rich culture, history, and heritage of the African-American community.

Arkansas has produced many remarkable individuals of all colors and creeds. And this month, we pause to honor some of these men and women, to commemorate the struggles of the past and present, and to recognize the hope we share for our common future.

Countless courageous and outstanding Arkansans have fought extraordinary battles to achieve social, economic, and political equality, and they will continue to inspire generations to come. They are a testament to the common character that unites all Americans and Arkansans seeking justice and inclusion.

By recognizing the contributions of African Americans, we work to erase the barriers that have wrongfully divided us in the past as we strive, together, to build a State where the strong are just and the weak secure; a State that is inclusive, not exclusive.

Some individuals look to the past and see only the hardships of those turbulent times. I see the triumph of African Americans over adversity: Descendants of slaves are today’s lawyers, doctors, teachers, politicians and business leaders. This progress did not happen overnight; it did not happen by luck. It was purchased by the courage, commitment, and relentless efforts of generations of African Americans, who put their very lives on the line and whose legacy lives on today. We have come a long way, but we must never lose sight of how far we still have to go.

Unfortunately, inequality continues in areas such as education and affordable, accessible health care. Today, there are more African-American males in our prison than in our colleges, and black families are less likely to have health insurance or access to preventive medical procedures than white families. All Arkansans deserve the right to the best that our State has to offer: the best education, the best health care, and, ultimately, the best opportunities.

With these opportunities, we ensure that all Arkansans will aspire to greatness. We must not forget the men and women who worked tirelessly for freedom, civil rights, and justice for all people. We also must focus on our future generations and provide them the tools they need to succeed in writing the next chapter in our story of progress.

Please join me in my celebration of Black History Month, because Black history is American history. And it is Arkansas history.