John, who receives services from the YAI Network’s Manhattan Day Habilitation program, reflects on the significance of African American History Month and on the value of teaching younger generations about the past so as to ensure a brighter future.

African American History Month is very important to me. It is a great reminder of all of the struggles that people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks went through. It is very important that we celebrate in February so that no one ever forgets bad things like slavery. If we don’t teach children about history, they may grow up and repeat these same bad things.

African American History Month recognizes how far people have come. Not everyone used to be treated the same way, just because they were a different color. But now that is very different. I volunteer in the cafeteria at St. Luke’s Hospital with YAI Manhattan Day Habilitation. I get to talk to a lot of people and they are all very nice to me. In the past, I would not have been allowed to work, but now I am treated equally and this makes me feel so good about myself. I can work and make friends and I don’t get judged by anybody.

Rosa Parks inspires me because she worked so hard and I want to work so hard like her. I am proud of my history and I am proud that there is a whole month that celebrates it.

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