To commemorate the Black History Month, African Americans have been asked to reclaim their identities as black Christians and hold to Christ the banner of justice in their service to God and humanity.

A Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Kareem Smith gave the charge in his Sunday homily at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, to celebrate the Annual Archdiocesan Black History Month and National Day for African American and African Family.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans in February, and it is a time to recognise their central role in U.S. history.

The priest said that the road for change always begins in black Church where black Christians are known for transforming society.

“We must not stop; we must reclaim the identity, our church is crying for leadership, black Church must stand to what we say we are.

“Black folks are a gift to the church. We must take our seats at the table because we have made our contributions and we deserve to be there,’’ he said.

According to him, the black Americans are often faced with the question of “worth” as their average income as a people is insignificant lower than their white counterpart.’’

The priest said the black were often discriminated against in getting good jobs, in getting the best education and often treated unjustly.

“It is true that we are the last to be hired, we are still rejected from getting high paid jobs and our children making the highest number of incarcerated.

“In spite of these, we know who we are, we are in this service because God is preparing to do something new in our lives.

“We have gathered to look back so that we can look forward. We should not forget our history as Black Americans, and we should be conscious of the history we will make.

“The task ahead of us is great. Justice not still unjust when prisoners are filled with the black. It is wonderful to teach racial tolerance as part of the elementary curriculum, but we need to teach it in reality,’’ he said.

The mass was celebrated by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Catholic Archbishop of New York. 

(NAN)