Cohen Statement Commemorating Black History Month

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement to commemorate Black History Month, which is observed each February:

“Each February, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of African-Americans to our nation. The courage, creativity, and resilience of African-Americans throughout our nation’s history cannot be overstated. This month, we pay special attention to the many political, scientific, artistic and cultural contributions made by African-Americans to our country.”

“The significant contributions that African-Americans have made to our nation have occurred even as African-Americans were legally enslaved, then treated as second-class citizens and even today as African-Americans still deal with the economic injustice that is a vestige of Jim Crow and other discriminatory laws. Their contributions have continued even when they were denied credit for them. Even while suffering under these circumstances, African Americans have continuously helped our nation succeed.”

“While our nation has made great strides for civil rights in the fifty years since the marches from Selma to Montgomery, there is much work left to do to bind up the wounds of slavery and Jim Crow. As we look forward to the next fifty years, let us recommit to realizing Dr. King’s dream and work to ensure all Americans have equal opportunities and that their civil rights are protected, preserved, and strengthened.”