As February draws to a close, many have spent the past few weeks reflecting on love because of Valentine’s Day, with its grand gestures and commercialized romance, reminding many of us to express affection for our loved ones. Meanwhile, Black History Month during this month calls us to honor the rich contributions of Black people and the struggles that have shaped our history. But what if we moved beyond a once-a-year observance? What if love—real love—became our daily practice? What if honoring Black history became more than a moment, but a lifestyle?
Canada has formally recognized Black History Month since 1995, following years of local observances, with the Senate’s official acknowledgment in 2008. Yet, long before these official proclamations, Black Canadians contributed significantly to the nation’s history. At the same time, we cannot forget that between 1629 and 1834—a span of 205 years—slavery was legal on Canadian lands that would become Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. Over 4,000 enslaved people of African descent lived under oppressive conditions in these territories, a sobering reminder that Canada’s role in Black history is complex. While the country became a sanctuary for many freedom-seekers via the Underground Railroad, it was also a land where Black people were once bought and sold.
Contrast this with Valentine’s Day,while its origins are attributed to the story of “St. Valentine”, it has largely evolved into a consumer-driven holiday that dictates when and how love should be expressed – chocolates, candy and flowers.
No one talks about this today but saint Valentine lived and died for his Christian faith. Valentine was reportedly executed for defying the emperor’s orders, apparently for performing Christian marriages in secret and aiding persecuted Christians. Saint Valentine is believed to have performed Christian marriages in secret because there was a selfish Emperor who had issued a decree forbidding young men from marrying. The emperor believed that unmarried men made better soldiers, as they had no wives or families to worry about and were more willing to join the Roman army.
To make matters worse, Christianity was not yet legalized during this time and was often persecuted by the Roman Empire. Christians faced imprisonment, torture, and even execution for practicing their faith, – even for getting married! There were young men of that day who did not want to live an adulterous, promiscuous and immoral life because of their love for Christ and His gospel. Valentine’s actions upheld the Christian belief in God-ordained marriages of purity, faithfulness and a sacred covenant before God. So, He defied the emperor’s orders, standing for the sanctity of Christian marriage and love; for which he was later arrested, tortured, and executed.
Yet, love was never meant to be confined to a single day, just as Black history should not be contained within the shortest month of the year. I love how God’s love and grace is interweaved in both of the historical foundations of these celebrations commemorated in February.
The Bible reminds us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Greek word “agape” describes the highest form of love, one that is selfless, unconditional, and divine. John 3:16 tells us that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is love beyond romance, beyond fleeting emotions—it is love that redeems, uplifts, and transforms.
As Black people, do we truly love ourselves and our community with this kind of love? Do we honor our Blackness, our history, and our heritage beyond February? Love should extend to the way we support one another, the way we uplift the next generation, and the way we ensure our stories are told—not just during Black History Month, but every day.
In Genesis 16:13, Hagar, a woman of African descent, called God El Roi—the God who sees—when He met her in her distress. This same God has seen the Black community through centuries of oppression and continues to see us today. He saw us in chains, and He sees us in boardrooms, in classrooms, in churches, and in every space we occupy. His love has never wavered, and neither should our remembrance of Him in our daily expressions of love and heritage.
Let us not confine our faith to Sundays, our love to February 14th, or our pride in Black history to one month a year. Just as we are called to love God and our neighbors daily, let us love our community with the same consistency. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply affirming one another’s worth, let’s make love and legacy a lifestyle, not just a seasonal observance.
After all, love—true love—is not dictated by a date on the calendar. It is written into our very existence by the One who is love itself.
Beyond February: Love, Black History, and a Legacy of TRUTH That Endures
