While reading last Friday’s edition of The Crimson White, I was taken aback by one of the responses in the “Your View” section. People were asked, “What do you think of African-American History Month?” and the very first response highlights the type of outdated thinking that pervades our national discussion about race. I don’t mean to imply that the person quoted was racist, but rather doesn’t understand the point of African-American History Month due to their perceptions about race.

The response read: “It’s pretty good ideologically to try and compensate them, but it’s pretty exclusionary.” African-American History Month seems exclusionary because some people still have an “us and them” mentality about race.

The statement, “…try and compensate them…” is offensive. It turns blacks into a “them” who are in opposition to a presumably white “us.” This kind of subconscious segregation is the reason African-American History Month seems exclusionary. It is because so many people feel that black history is in some way detached from the history of other Americans, and that this separate narrative isn’t relevant to them.

This statement also perpetuates the idea that the government is an inherently white establishment that designates celebrations like this to try to make black citizens think they aren’t racist. The phrase “ideologically good” sounds like African-American History Month is just a good strategic move for the white people in power. This kind of thinking is dangerous and disenfranchising. It makes white people seem racist and black people seem politically powerless.

I believe African-American History Month is extremely important, and that African-American history is central to the American story. In the Civil Rights Era alone, African-Americans left an invaluable and unforgettable mark on our nation’s history, and helped carry the United States toward a future of equality for all citizens. African-American history is part of who we are as Americans, regardless of our race.

Alex Hollinghead is a sophomore majoring in math and philosophy.