One of the thoughts often absent in the quest for equality is that civil rights are a way for all of us to grow. For hundreds of years the majority deprived itself of the culture and insights that were resident in the black culture. When the majority looked down on the black experience it cut itself off from so many human insights that had been learned ,and taught by those that had been marginalized. Their struggles were replete with human courage ,and a dignity that has freed the larger culture. In celebrating Black History month there is an opportunity for us to reach out ,and grow from realizing that every culture in this land can enable all of us to get closer to the “shining city on a hill”