WMass celebrates Black History Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - To always remember what people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks did for equality and freedom, thousands of people across the country are celebrating Black History Month.

Associate Pastor at St. John’s Congregational Church in Springfield said “History gives us the energy, the passion and the motivation to continue forward.”

Many parents here in western Massachusetts told 22News what their children learn at schools or local churches about history is very important, and they said they remind their kids every day that history is not something we should forget.

Lisa Richardson-Gomes of Springfield told 22News “It's very important to read and to spread the word of what's going in the world, so we'll never forget what happened in our past.”

Minister Lee Brown at St. John’s said “We are talking about the man who invented the red light, the man who invented the dust pan, the man who invented the ironing board. It is important that you know your history because history makes future.”

In fact, many local museums, organizations and churches have plans to host various events like film screenings, lectures and concerts during the month of February.

But many people said accomplishments by African-American civil rights activists, educators or artists should be celebrated every month.

Associate Pastor Jones said “We really need to find ways to integrate black history into our every day practices, so it's not something that we do in February and we think about it for a few weeks, and then forget about it. But we really need to find ways to make sure it's part of everything that we do throughout the year.”