Black History Month
- Anastasia Iosue
- Jan 15, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 20, 2021
Every February since 1970, the United States remembers important people and events in the History of the African diaspora, otherwise known as Black History Month. Throughout the Month, we celebrate the Black community’s contributions to our society. While this Month is a great way to honor Black History, we must also recognize that Black History is more than a Month. It is every day, and it is something we should always be talking about. Without Black History, there would be no History.
The most essential part of Black History Month is to get Black History right. Some of the major figures we hear about have “whitewashed” stories, meaning they are deliberately altered in a way that favors, features, or caters to white people. Learn more at The Consequences of Whitewashing Black History and keep in mind to fact check information as well as be mindful of getting your news from reliable sources.
One of the greatest examples of this is the infamous Rosa Parks. She is known as an American Activist in the Civil Rights Movement who played a pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Many thought she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger because she was “tired”, but that was not the case. She was fighting against segregation and knew that she deserved to sit wherever she wanted, just like anyone else.
Another misconstrued fact is that she was actually not even the first Black woman to sit at the front of the bus. Nine Months prior, in March 1955, Claudette Colvin, at just 15 years old, also refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. Learn more about her story at BBC News
During Black History Month, we most commonly hear about the same historical figures each year. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, etc. They each have strong legacies but there is more to Black History than just these well-known individuals and it is our obligation to listen, learn, and reflect. To start, here are some Black Americans you probably don’t know but should: Oprah Mag
Besides learning about the actual Black History, what else can we do for Black History Month? Here are four simple actions that we can all do to show our respect and support for the Black community:
1. Support Black Businesses
Close the racial wealth gap. Today, one in four Black households have zero or negative net worth, compared to the less than one in ten white families without wealth. To prevent this, we can support Black businesses and balance wealth.
Strengthen the economy. A 2017 study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition found that banks were twice as likely to provide business loans to white applicants than to Black ones, and three times as likely to have follow-up meetings with white applicants than more qualified Black ones. To counter this, we can support Black businesses that will boost our economic development.
Foster job creation. In 2018, the unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.6 percent, which was almost double that for white Americans. To reduce this, we can support Black businesses and generate more jobs.
In the United States alone, there are over 2 million Black Businesses. Right here in the Lehigh Valley, there are over 165 Black-owned Businesses. Find more at Lehigh Valley Live
2. Support Black Creators
Celebrate Black culture. A traditional practice for the Black community is to braid their hair, tracing back to 3500 BC In Africa. It started 5000 years ago with the Himba people of Namibia. These braided hairstyles are a way of distinguishing different tribes. They were also used to identify age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion. In some countries of Africa, they were even a form of communication. Braiding was and is a social art. If we support Black creators, we can embrace the identities and customs that originate in the Black communities.
Visibility. The share of minority best actor oscar winners is about 6.8%. Out of that, only 14 Black actors have ever won academy awards. If we support Black creators, we can distribute more recognition for the Black community.
Diversify media. In 2020, there was only a 26.6% share of people of color in the United States television news workforce. And of those being portrayed in the media, 66% of people believe that the media perpetuates negative stereotypes of Black people. If we support Black creators, we can circulate more variety of perspectives in the industry.
African Americans are the second-largest racial minority in the United States, at about an estimated 13.4% of the population. There are countless Black content creators and influencers. At Linqia there are 20 listed for you to follow, and you can find even more throughout their site.
3. Share Black Stories
Representation Matters. People of color only accounted for 22% of children's book figures in 2016. And, they were also the protagonists in 22% of children's literature. By sharing Black stories, we can shape how minorities are viewed by society and how they view themselves.
Cultural Appreciation. About 40 percent of white Americans and about 25 percent of non-white Americans are surrounded exclusively by friends of their own race, according to an ongoing Reuters/Ipsos poll. By sharing Black stories, we can eliminate the tensions and divisions between racial groups.
Spread Awareness. Slavery was only abolished in the United States 156 years ago and its devastation continues to affect the Black community, instilling systematic racism in America. By sharing Black stories, we can learn about the inequality Black Americans face.
We have listed some of our favorite Black stories that you should hear. Find more at Black Stories Matter: Books by Black Authors You Should Read ASAP
4. Call out Racism and Cultural Appropriation
Action items:
Pronounce people’s names correctly.
Do not stereotype others based on uncontrollable factors: race, gender, age, weight, etc.
Use acceptable language; Stop telling racist jokes, and stop laughing at racist jokes.
Wear appropriate attire; do not wear something that is offensive or mocking of another culture; do not wear something without understanding and promoting its cultural value.
Do not work for or support companies that are openly racist.
Reject the idea of “not seeing color” and instead embrace and appreciate color.
Acknowledge white privilege; Black people face struggles that others do not.
Be intolerant of intolerance.
Confront your own prejudices.
Set boundaries with others, but leave room for uncomfortable conversations.
Be conscientious of others’ sensitivities.
Be proactive about inclusion in your daily life.
Stay informed about the various backgrounds, whether that be racial, ethnic, etc.
Be brave enough to speak up.
Do the work to build a fair society for everyone.
Together, with empathy, compassion, and optimism, we can all do our part to create a better today and tomorrow. Find more information at Talking About Race: 10 Steps to Progress and The Do's and Don'ts of Cultural Appropriation
5. Be an Ally
If you have read this article, you’ve already taken the first two steps to becoming an ally: listening and learning. Now, as you take the time to reflect and prepare yourself to be an ally, remember the importance of your involvement. Joining this movement allows us to dismantle systemic racism, build positive relationships across communities, and end discimination once and for all. Find more at How to Become an Ally to the Black Community
It is our obligation to advocate for the equity of mankind and ensure that all people are truly created equal. Here at Parkland, we have the equity and inclusion committee that strives to change our culture, curriculum, and community to be more aware and inclusive of the many different backgrounds in our region. Find more information at Equity and Inclusion and stay tuned for an article dedicated entirely to this committee’s work thus far.
Concluding this blog on Black History Month, the key takeaway is that we should all know Black History.
Final Tips:
Ask questions and engage in open discussions to better understand each other.
Articulate your emotions and concerns.
Take feedback from others.
Stay actively involved.
Remember “what some people take for granted, others are fighting for.”
It is interesting to see the Key Findings on Americans' Views on Race in 2019 in order to evaluate where we are as a nation and where we need to go. There is so much more we have to do to protect, respect, and accept each other but we all have to start somewhere. To ensure we can progress as a global society, it is important that we each continue to take responsibility for our own education about Black History. That means, taking the time and effort to not only study Black History but also to immerse ourselves in Black communities where we can grow our cultural knowledge.
Additional Resources:
- Anastasia Iosue
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