Black History Month February 2020

 Black History is American history.

This month take time to read and learn about the contributions of African Americans to this world. For example, 60 years ago today, four African American men, in Greensboro, North Carolina started a sit-in at Woolworth, which grew, and persisted daily for almost 6 months.  It inspired thousands of our similar movements throughout the South.

Think about what it means to be Black in America and the unique challenges it presents. Living and existing when your mere appearance is a threat and puts you in harm’s way.  Read about topics such as shifting, code switching, Black hair, and police brutality – that impact the African American community. But also celebrate the resilience, grace and beauty of the African American culture.

If you do not know where to start, below are several suggestions:

Books & Articles

Thick by Tressie McMillian Cottom
Race Matters by Cornel West
When Black Women Go From Office Pet to Office Threat by Erika Stallings (here)
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Styling Civil Rights: The Effect of § 1981 and the Public Accommodations Act on Black Women’s Access to White Stylists and Salons by Me (here) Training School for Negro Girls by Camille Acker The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison Lynching In: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror by Equal Justice Institute (here)

Movies

When They See Us Just Mercy The 13th Malcolm X Hidden Figures

Exhibits/Museums

Men of Change (here) National Museum of African American History & Culture The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration

Organizations to Support

Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project (here) *This organization has immeasurable impact* Black Girls Code (here) NAACP (here)

Social Media

Instagram follow @Rachel.Cargle and her hashtag titled #DiscoverOurGlory

In no way is the above list comprehensive.  Simply items I like. As for me, I’m Black every month. But this month I’m Blackity Black Black.