In what first began as 'Negro History Week,'  the celebration of Black History Month has become more expansive and deliberate.

The study and documentation of black history had barely even begun when Negro History Week began; in fact it wasn't until the 20th century that they were included in the history books.

However, it is still shameful that only a month of an entire year must be dedicated to one race. It speaks of how far we have not come when we don't celebrate the human race year round.

Until we as a nation embrace the contributions of all of our ancestors and celebrate diversity, the tunnel vision will continue.

Watch and learn

The enduring contributions made by African Americans will be highlighted this month, outlining how these men, women and children are part of the venerable fabric of American society.

ETV's national Independent Lens presentation of Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968 kicks off the month of special programming on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. The program takes a look at one of South Carolina's bloodiest Civil Rights tragedies, The Orangeburg Massacre, during which, three African-American student protestors were killed at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg in 1968.

This meticulously researched documentary recounts the definitive report of that horrific event and exposes the environment that kept details of the incident buried for so long. Produced by Boston-based Northern Light Productions, this powerful hour-long program also addresses perplexing questions about how the United States acknowledges it's tortured racial past in order to make sense of its challenging present.

Then, at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Feb. 10, 17, 24 and March 3, Faces of America with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. airs. The four-part series from the producers of 'African American Lives' and 'African American Lives 2' utilizes the latest tools of genealogy and genetics to explore the family histories of 12 renowned Americans.

This is just two of the many tributes ETV will made during February and March. ETV is South Carolina's statewide network with 11 television stations, eight radio stations and a closed-circuit educational telecommunications system in more than 2,000 schools, colleges, businesses, and government agencies.

Great admiration and support should be given to ETV for their efforts in awareness about all things 'South Carolina,' particularly this commemorative narration and documentary series.

To see a complete list of programming for Black History Month, visit, www.scetv.org.