WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Assistant Katherine Clark issued the following statement in recognition of Black History Month: 

“Today is the start of Black History Month, a celebration of the contributions of Black Americans to our nation and recognition of our continued march toward equality and justice for all. 

“This year our call to action holds renewed urgency. The pandemic and its economic fallout rages across America, disproportionately striking communities of color and inflicting great loss of lives and livelihoods. The nation just witnessed an attack on our Capitol fueled by white supremacy and its long, toxic grip on our country. 

“There is much work to do to root out the inequities that persist in America and bring to life the work of Black leaders and activists who have shown us the path toward and possibility of a more perfect union. The task ahead of us is clear: to both help America recover from the challenges we confront and use this moment to rebuild a more just nation. Essential to this effort is honoring Black history as American history, and being truthful and inclusive in our teaching of history in the face of efforts to erase it. 

Let us follow the words of activist and Civil Rights leader Angela Davis: “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change…I’m changing the things I cannot accept.”