By Jisele Garcia, Staff Writer
Black History Month starts on Feb. 1, when people celebrate Black culture and achievements, then inform themselves on social justice issues concerning the Black community. This year’s theme for Black History Month revolves around representation, identity and diversity. This prompts the question: how can we, people of TC, provide our support?
As non-Black citizens of TC, we need to engage in Black History now and throughout the year. We have to educate ourselves on historical Black struggles or else contemporary racism, systemic and individual, will continue unchecked.
Our societal values stem from our education. In order for our society to value the Black community, young children need to learn to value Black history. California’s curriculum still focuses more on white colonialism and historical figures who demeaned the Black community, leading many to praise Christopher Columbus and Thomas Jefferson’s so-called heroic accomplishments while neglecting their racist, heinous acts.
Creating anti-racist curricula will help dismantle the systemic racism prevalent in our community. Classrooms should strive to discuss more Black stories. When we do, we shouldn’t limit historical figures to only Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Undiscussed figures like Ella Baker and Bayard Rustin deserve recognition, too.
History classes shouldn’t be alone in engaging in Black History Month. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Toni Morrison are distinguished Black authors whose works are complex enough to analyze in English classes, and discussing the impacts of the Harlem Renaissance has relevance in both English and art classes.
Public education can only carry us so far, and we must take it upon ourselves to learn more about Black History both locally and globally. Exposing ourselves to Black history, literature and art improves our perspective and broadens our empathy toward uniquely Black struggles. As a starting point, Netflix documentaries “I Am Not Your Negro” and “LA 92” explore America’s history of racism. Books like “How to Be Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi and “When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele, teach ways to improve our allyship. To see examples of systemic injustices, movies like “BlacKkKlansman” and “Just Mercy,” both based on true stories, provide a glimpse into the corrupt justice system.
Some argue that Black history is in our curricula, but this is partly true. Older textbooks created a narrative in which Black people only exist in the context of slavery and civil rights when they’ve contributed tremendously to American society elsewhere.
The excuse of ignorance due to a lack of resources is intolerable. The Internet is accessible to almost everyone, and in our current climate there is enough time to commit to research.
Education won’t undo centuries of oppression, but it’s the first step towards centuries of true equity. Under a new generation of educated legislators and policymakers we can see to it that American society follows through with its promises of liberty and justice for all. February is the least we can do; let’s commit our schools and ourselves to learning Black history year round.
Black History Month Timeline
This timeline aims to celebrate lesser-known successes in Black American history, beyond the traditional framework of slavery. Source: Michigan State University.
1776: On Dec. 25, the eve of the Battle of Trenton, African American soldier Prince Whipple assisted General Whipple and General Washington in crossing the Delaware river.
1827: Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm publish Freedom’s Journal, America’s first Black-owned and operated newspaper.
1868: Dawson Pompey became the first Black American to hold elective office in Michigan to oversee local road projects, when it was illegal for Black men to vote in Michigan.
1868: Mary Ellen Pleasant filed two lawsuits over streetcar segregation, winning the right to ride cable cars in San Francisco.
1893: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams opens Provident Hospital, Chicago’s first interracial hospital. On July 9, Williams performed the first successful open-heart surgery before the use of anesthesia, antibiotics and X-rays.
1899: Brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson composed the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem.
1900: At the Battle of Fort Wagner, William H. Carney displayed courage that won him the first U.S. Medal of Honor given to a Black citizen.
1903: Madam C.J. Walker created a hair-care business for Black women. She eventually became America’s first self-made female millionaire.
1903: Robert S. Abbott began The Chicago Defender, one of America’s most influential Black weekly papers.
1950: Ralph J. Bunche wins the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Palestinian conflict. He was the first Black Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
(INFOGRAPHIC/ Michelle Lim, transcribed)