February marks Black History Month. This is a time to reflect on the history, resilience, and achievements of African Americans across our country. This celebration serves as a reminder that history cannot be told without Black history.
Black History Month began in 1926 as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodsonas and later became a full month of recognition. So, 2026 marks 100 years since the creation of this cherished celebration. This year's theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations” to mark this century-long milestone.
Here in our community, the Roots Historical Arts Council honored this important month with its “Blackout” art exhibition. The exhibition showcases works from Black artists, including paintings, jewelry, and sculpture, to highlight Black-made creativity and achievement.
Council director Shirley Green said the exhibit honors not only our history, but our past, too.
“We need always to know who we are, know where we came from, and remember there’s always room for growth in all American cultures,” she said.
Green said she hopes visitors recognize the beauty of black-made art.
“I want them to recognize much talent, skill, and intelligence African Americans have brought to the community, to Texas, and to the United States,” she explained.
Treasurer Mark Sanders said events like this are especially important right now with recent restrictions in the school system.
“They're trying to take it away from teaching in high school now, or period, teaching it period,” he said. “The more we reach out to one another and experience history, the more we understand where we came from and where we’re still striving to go.”
In January of last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” The order threatens to withhold funding for schools that do not comply with its guidelines. This action, along with similar efforts at the state level, supports years of attempting to ban the teaching of certain parts of history, especially Black history. In many states, new laws and policies have further restricted the school curriculum on systemic racism and slavery, which are key parts of our past.
Texas, specifically, has heavily restricted the teaching of Black history, even in higher education. Soon after Texas Tech System Chancellor Brandon Creighton gained his title, he issued a Dec. 1, 2025, memorandum. This directs the faculty of five universities to ban any content related to “race or sex-based prejudice.” This, along with other state-level legislation, has changed the way American history is taught, sparking concern from critics that it could reflect a watered-down version of our past.
Despite this, the Roots historical council continues to advocate for the teaching and recognition of Black history, which is a pillar of history.
Joy Harris, a local musician, was a big part of the exhibition. As a Black artist in Lubbock, she said it was an honor to be part of an event that highlights the beauty of Black art.
“Especially in these times, it's good to have art, just to have a spot for peace,” she said.
Harris said she has experienced racism as a Black artist, but it has not stopped her from loving this community and honoring its history.
“It's very important to be a Black artist from here because my family roots are in Lubbock. We go back four generations,” she said. “This is where I'm from. This is my home. And if you're gonna come into my home, act right and be cool, and we won't have any problems.”
Historian Robert Jenkins said the recognition of Black history should go even further. He said it’s important to remember not only the hardships of the past but also the perseverance and resilience that have shaped Black history.
“I think we teach it as a painful and fruitless struggle of victims, instead of the triumphant overcoming of magnificent hurdles of a whole people after slavery,” he said. “That's the spirit I think we should talk about.”
Jenkins said he hopes the community continues to honor its past, because it shapes both who we are today and who we will become.
“History is like a rearview mirror,” Jenkins said. “You need to know what’s behind you to understand where you’re going.”