Celebrating Black History Month

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Eliana Mann

Though Black History Month is celebrated for a fraction of the year, it is crucial to recognize the accomplishments and struggles of the Black community every day. “I hope that it is celebrated year-round and normalized into our everyday way of being,” Director of Intercultural Life Dr. Naomi Taylor said.

As February begins, so does Black History Month, a time to honor the accomplishments of Black people and recognize the struggles they have faced.

After decades of celebrations, Black History Month became officially recognized by the United States government in 1976, and ever since then, it has been observed annually from Feb. 1 to Mar. 1. But, it is crucial to understand that having a month dedicated to Black history doesn’t mean it should go ignored for the rest of the year. “Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight the history, contributions, and appreciation of Black people; however, I hope that it is celebrated year-round and normalized into our everyday way of being,” Director of Intercultural Life Dr. Naomi Taylor said.

Here are 10 ways to recognize and celebrate Black History Month:

1. Confront internal biases and reflect on the ways in which racism is subconsciously perpetuated. A key first step in creating anti-racist communities and honoring Black history is using self-reflection and unpacking bias to make key changes in behavior on an individual level.

2. Spread awareness. It may seem obvious, but one of the most essential things to do for Black History Month is to tell others about it. Get the word out in person or via social media to reach more people, and involve them in honoring the Black community.

3. Stay up to date on current events. Isaiah Eby, head of the Black and Brown Student Union said, “I think people just don’t consume [news stories] enough… that highlight racial injustices that are happening, police brutality cases that spring up, things that are happening at local levels or national levels in terms of efforts to combat racial inequality.” The news shows a lot of the difficulties Black people face on a day-to-day basis, not only in history but in the present.

4. Read about Black history. A local library or bookstore likely has books on the subject, or resources to aid you in finding informative articles online. To get started, a few suggestions are The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, and The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson.

5. Watch films or documentaries about Black history. This is especially useful for visual learners, and there are many options available on streaming services. A few ideas for what to watch include I Am Not Your Negro (Netflix), 13th (Netflix), and Summer of Soul (Hulu).

6. Support Black-owned businesses. From restaurants to bookstores and everything in between, there are options for everyone in the Twin Cities area and greater Minnesota. Buying from Black-owned businesses year-round is a great way to both help them grow and help reduce the racial wealth gap. MN Black Business contains information about a wide variety of local businesses in Minnesota.

7. Make an active effort to fight racism among family and friends. It can be a difficult task to confront loved ones when they say or do something that discriminates against others, but it’s extremely important to call these things out to combat racism and foster growth.

8. Donate to organizations helping the African American community. No matter the amount, donations will always have a positive impact, and are a meaningful way to make a difference. Some nonprofits to take a look at are the Equal Justice Initiative, the NAACP, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

9. Attend local events for Black History Month. It’s simple and easy to find activities going on this February in the Twin Cities, as well as other communities. For example, the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery has a new exhibit pertaining to the topic of Black history, and the Underground Music Venue will be hosting the First Annual Black History Month Fashion Show on Feb. 26.

10. Speak to teachers/administration about including more Black history in the curriculum. Unfortunately, the history taught at many schools focuses heavily on Europe and events centered on white people. Working to diversify the history books and lessons would be a great step in the right direction.“By having a concentrated period where Black history can be focused on, I think the importance of Black history can be highlighted, which can hopefully lead to the inclusion of more Black history throughout the rest of curriculum,” Eby said.

There is not just one correct way to celebrate and recognize the significance of Black History Month. Trying all of the ideas on this list is not necessary to make an impact, because even the smallest of actions can contribute to making positive change. Junior Maya Coates-Cush said, “Black History Month is important because it helps to bring acknowledgment to the Black community’s contributions to the world.” By taking action, it is possible to create and foster more inclusive communities that support African American people and their history of incredible accomplishments.