Black History at the Heart of America’s Story
As our nation observes the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, it is imperative to acknowledge the profound role of African Americans in shaping the economy, society, and governance of the United States. From the Revolutionary War to the global cotton economy to consumer purchasing power exceeding $1.7 trillion annually, Black Americans’ experiences are central to the nation’s identity—from its inception to the present. Black history is American history.
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington initially resisted the inclusion of Black soldiers in the Continental Army. Short on manpower and the British promise of freedom to enslaved individuals who joined their ranks, Washington relented. Approximately 5,000 Black soldiers and sailors fought alongside the colonists, while 20,000 aligned with the British. For the enslaved, the ideals of liberty and freedom resonated deeply, fueling a belief in their right to self-determination.
This pivotal moment, as captured in Ken Burns’ documentary on the Revolutionary War, marked a seismic shift: for the first time, enslaved and working-class individuals were seen as more than mere subjects. It illuminated the potential for human dignity and equality, sparking global movements for justice and fairness. Black enslavement in America and the fight for freedom drove the evolution of democracy itself. Much of what we understand about human potential and democracy’s promise, we learned from the liberation of African Americans and the recognition of our common humanity.
A largely unspoken truth is that without the Black experience, the United States would not have become the world’s economic superpower. Enslaved labor powered the cotton industry, which fueled the rise of American economic dominance. This truth is no mere historical footnote—it is central to perpetuating the racial inequalities and America’s ongoing attempts to bury its shame by diminishing Black agency and accomplishments.
The cultivation and processing of cotton was grueling, labor-intensive, and relied on the stolen labor of enslaved Africans. Cotton was more than a crop; it was the lifeblood of the global economy. Western civilization, as well as parts of Africa and Asia, depended on cotton for clothing and other products. As Sven Beckert’s Empire of Cotton: A Global History reveals, the fibrous plant was the cornerstone of modern capitalism and the Industrial Revolution.
Cotton wealth was staggering. One example: After the transatlantic slave trade was abolished, states such as Virginia turned to breeding enslaved people as a lucrative economic enterprise. As described in 1935 by W.E.B. Du Bois in his seminal work, Black Reconstruction in America, Virginia alone generated over $500 million in a single year from selling enslaved people to drive the Deep South’s economy. This wealth didn’t just build the South. It built America.
The dominant narrative of America’s birth shifts dramatically when the truth of the cotton economy is considered; two and a half centuries of brutal, forced, and stolen labor from Africans and their descendants fueled both the American and global economies. This wealth, extracted through unimaginable suffering, shaped the modern world and was justified by a false hierarchy of human value—a destructive ideology that dehumanized Africans, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups. This ideology sustained slavery, Jim Crow, and perpetuates systemic inequalities today.
Recognizing this history is essential to understanding our interconnected destinies. The same hierarchy of human value that justified slavery has denied the full humanity of Indigenous people, Hispanics, Jews, Asians, Haitians, Puerto Ricans, Somalis, and others. It shapes the immigration policy divide and threatens our fragile economy and our experiment in a multi-racial democracy. When we take this holistic view, we understand our free-market capitalist society’s success was rooted in government-forced, privately coerced cotton production and the systems it established. With that knowledge, we can understand our interrelated destinies. A hierarchy of human value, fueled by centuries of enslavement and exploitation persists when we see some people as others rather than ourselves.
Eradicating this appalling hierarchy and replacing it with the valuing of all human life liberates us all. When we fully understand what a gift life—this human experience—is, we extend this valuation to all human beings equally.
Today, racist ideologies rooted in historical hierarchies threaten our American democracy. Acknowledging the historical roots of this false belief compels us to remedy and repair this vulnerability.
The economic impact of Black Americans is undeniable. Black-owned businesses generated $212 billion in 2022. (That elides the trillions produced by African Americans in the rest of the economy.) Black people have helped shape culture, science, and innovation, yet the role of African Americans is currently being downplayed, ignored, and even actively erased. How many Americans are familiar with Gloria West, a Black mathematician whose work on GPS algorithms revolutionized modern technology, who died last month at 95? From the arts to the sciences, Black Americans shape the nation’s progress, yet have not received the recognition that would debunk inferiority mythology.
It’s important to recognize the broader impact of Black history while celebrating individual achievements. All Americans need to understand the pivotal role of our Black ancestors and contemporaries. Moreover, the African American experience must be integral to the nation’s narrative
Despite recent setbacks, there is hope for American democracy. Moments of unity, such as communities supporting immigrant neighbors, demonstrate resilience. The country has not forsaken its core values; instead, it continues to promote the idea that all are created equal. Unity is key to a thriving democracy centered on the common good. However, achieving this requires recognizing our shared humanity. A complete understanding of Black history as an integral part of American history is essential—not just during Black History Month, but all year.
The true story of America cannot be told without the story of Black Americans. From the Revolutionary War to the cotton fields to the Civil War and our political systems, from scientific breakthroughs to cultural milestones, Black history is deeply intertwined with the nation’s identity and progress.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we must move beyond token gestures and embrace a fuller narrative. Understanding the central role of Black Americans is about more than accuracy—it is vital for inspiring hope and realizing the democratic ideal upon which this nation was founded: all are created equal. The collective and individual capacity to value our shared humanity is key to building a future that honors all sacrifices and achievements.
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