With so much growth in racial understanding in America during the past year, this February is a very special Black History Month for me.

With better understanding, we are better able to learn from and build on our shared past, while building a more perfect and inclusive union.

One of my favorite parts about this time is learning about new events and people that detail the experiences and ingenuity of a group who is still overcoming so much yet is still finding ways to give back to each other and the world.

Pit Schools

One of my greatest discoveries is learning about the Black American tradition of Pit Schools — illegal underground schools — that were created by the Black community to educate each other.

This became entirely necessary to improve civil rights for all Americans since laws made it illegal for Black Americans to acquire any fully self-determined education in some parts of America until the 1970s.

Pit Schools were named for being literal pits in the forest ground. Students would hide spelling books in their hats for impromptu literacy sessions when available; black soldiers would study during their lunch breaks.

Their desire is said to have transformed education in the American South”¹.

Later