A Personal Look at Black History Month

 February is Black History Month, a time when people of all races and walks of life celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and honor their significant contributions throughout history. This year, Royal American is honored to be highlighting 12 employees’ heartfelt perspectives, experiences, and personal points of view on Black History Month and what it means to them.

“Black history means to me knowing and learning the history of where my people have come from to get to this moment in time. The dedication, honor, and pride of a legacy will be passed on to future generations of all races. Michelle Obama said that history has shown us that “Courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own”. I represent a culture that strives to value itself in excellence and leadership. I plan to carry my legacy in a positive light and will continue to be a shining example of strength, wisdom, courage, and integrity.

THAT IS WHAT BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEANS TO ME.”

– Angela Webster

Black History Month is a time I reflect on the stories my grandparents, parents, and family members would tell me about their lives and the struggles they went through. They weren’t allowed in certain places, they couldn’t aspire to certain jobs, they were paid less for the same work, their medical care wasn’t the same and many couldn’t go to school—they needed to work instead, they even participated in civil protests.  But most of all I remember how my parents and grandparents instilled in me the importance of education, self-pride, self-worth, and family values, to never take the past for granted, and never allow the past to be an excuse for you not to succeed in life. I was always told, the best way to overcome racism is to succeed in spite of it, and to always remember that I enjoy the freedoms that I do because of what our ancestors endured.

I celebrate and cherish being black and enjoying our culture every day of my life. I choose to remember the past but not allow the past to define me or keep me from succeeding. Knowing the past has made me a stronger and more determined person. When I think things are bad, I think of what our ancestors went through and then I realize this life I’m living isn’t perfect, but l am living my best life possible!

– Antonio K. Fergusen