In an op-ed published in the Catholic Standard by Catholic Law's Professor Veryl Miles, she reflects on the enduring importance of Black History Month and the need to preserve African American history amidst current efforts to erase or diminish it. Drawing inspiration from Fannie Lou Hamer’s powerful 1964 testimony at the Democratic National Convention, Miles underscores the bravery of those who fought for civil rights, often risking their lives to secure freedoms like voting rights. She warns that forgetting this history risks reversing progress toward justice and equality, especially as America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. Miles calls on all Americans to honor Black history, recognizing it as an integral part of the nation’s identity—painful yet inspirational, and a testament to the true spirit of “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”