Black History Month
By Alisha J. on behalf of the JEDI Committee
February 4, 2022
The month of February is Black History Month, so it's important to educate ourselves on Black history and how to contribute to its celebration. There are many ways to support, uplift, and share Black voices while providing sources of information to continue your learning. With rising awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement, lots of information was brought to the eyes of the general public in 2020. While the support and coverage of the movement was extremely helpful, it's important to keep that energy and continue to show support and understanding for Black communities. The purpose of this month is to celebrate Black culture and accomplishments, and bring awareness to the struggles that Black people have faced, not only throughout history but in the present as well.
Black people in America have faced a long and complicated history. From being sold, forced to be slaves, and rising up against those who oppressed them until they gained the promised freedom, to fighting for their recognition and acceptance in the present day. During the American revolution period, Black people were forced to work many jobs and perform heavy amounts of labor with no reward. As a result of the Civil War, Black people received basic freedom as citizens of the country, but still faced oppression through racism and government-reinforced discrimination. Sharecropping, Jim Crow laws, and segregation were just some of the ways that black people remained inferior in the eyes of the law.. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, Black people fought for their rights within American society, and their efforts were recognized in the government through the passing of the Civil Rights legislature. However, Black people in America still face institutional barriers to the same opportunities and privileges that white and non-Black people hold. Black History Month is celebrated both to honor the people who fought for their rights and to support the efforts of those who strive for equality in the present day. This month was originally started as the second week of February, chosen to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of whom were prominent figures in helping end slavery. President Gerald Ford officially recognized it in 1976. In the present day, many people use it as a month to remember and acknowledge the accomplishments of Black people now and throughout history. Black history month has a new theme every year; this year’s theme is honoring those health and wellness being due to the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting those who live in POC communities.
We encourage you to continue to learn more about Black history beyond this month and remember the history behind this month and the impact Black people have had in shaping what America is like today. Some things you can do to support the Black community include shopping from small Black owned businesses, researching historic figures and the impact they have on us today, supporting communities around you, reading work by black authors, and continuing to stay mindful about issues and opinions surrounding the community. As someone who is not Black, my perspective on this topic may not portray this month's importance so I encourage you to research more this month and beyond it.
