Black History Month should be celebrated for its goals of spreading awareness. Pride in one’s own being is always a good thing, but the future is getting beyond “isms.” The future of humanity lies in a unity among all creation.

We must get beyond the patriotism that binds us all to the political borders and the system that binds many to oppression.

Black History Month should be seen as a unification of all people. As we learn about black history, we can expand the boundaries of dialogue to looking at a united history of earth. We are, after all, made from the same earth and from the same cosmic dust and the basic experience of existence exists in us all.

The advancement of black people in the United States in the past decade certainly has been positive. Black people are in the highest echelons of government. Economically, more black people than ever are moving into the middle class. Positive role models can be found in the arts, athletics and our communities. Undeniably, an appreciation of history has guided the push forward.

Indeed, we all must push further into discovering our own history, and as Black History Month helps illustrate, we must openly share that history to find commonalities. For many, this entails a journey beyond history books. Che Guevara traveled South America on a rickety motorbike. For many it is simply talking to the people who have lived history; our grandparents or the old neighbor down the road.

In today’s U.S. society of the “work to live” and “live to work,” it can be easy to forget about our common bonds, our common history. Black History Month serves as a starter. What does your name mean? Why are you the way you are? Most importantly, if we actively participate in it, we are all brought closer to understanding and connecting with one another.