Honor Black History All Year Long

As Black History Month draws to a close, I want to offer five ways you can honor black history, and particularly the revolutionary history of black women, all year long.

1.     Read books and articles by black women! Seek them out, purchase the book, or request it at your local library. One I highly recommend is Christena Cleveland’s God is a Black Woman.

2.     Watch films and documentaries created by and featuring black women. One I recommend is the docuseries The 1619 Project, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and available on Hulu. There’s a book by the same name if you prefer that.

3.     Listen to podcasts about black history. One episode that struck me recently was On Point’s “How American educators can better teach the history of slavery.” You can listen to it by clicking here or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Note: the next two opportunities on this list are directed specifically to white people.

 4.     Do your own research. It is not the responsibility of your black friends and colleagues to educate you about black history, nor is it their burden to help you grapple with your emotions related to such history. Take ownership of your own learning.

5.     Talk to that kinda racist friend or relative and educate them. This is the hardest, but we all have that random uncle or coworker who is either overtly racist or who says and does microaggressively racist things. Call them into conversation and graciously try to convert them to be an advocate for racial justice. This is where the true work happens.

It has been an honor to celebrate Black History Month with you this February! As a white woman running a queer and intersectionally feminist non-profit, this work is tremendously important.