It’s February which means, it’s Black History Month. Mostly celebrated within the United States, it got its start in 1976. It originally started as “Negro History Week” in 1926—which was celebrated on the second week of February to line up with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas. While in the wake of the Civil Rights movement it evolved into Black History Month by the late 1960s, it wasn’t officially recognized until 1976 by President Gerald Ford. It has since been widely celebrated across the United States.
What is Black History Month though, what does it mean? It is a chance to celebrate prominent African-American figures in history that helped abolish slavery in the U.S., who fought for the rights of African-Americans, and paved the way for all the rights that can be enjoyed by not only Black Americans, but also other minorities.
With the Black Lives Matter movement gaining popularity in 2020—despite being around since 2013, and more people being socially conscious, maybe there will come a day where Black History Month is no longer needed. Now, before there is an uproar, what is meant by that is simply this: Black history, as well as other minorities histories, should already be taught in the American school system. White-washed textbooks need to thrown out and accurate history should be taught. Not just MLK or Rosa Parks, but also people like Angela Davis or Alice Walker. We should learn about the Black Panthers and the importance of Juneteenth; these things and people shouldn’t be afterthoughts. Children shouldn’t be taught to idolizes colonizers and murderers like Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes.
However; I still want honor Black History Month by highlighting some books, movies, tv shows and artists that are great for the month of February.
Books:
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker- an epistolary novel
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- fiction
- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn- YA fantasy
- For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntokae Shange- a cheropoem
Movies:
- Hidden Figures
- Daughters of the Dust
- Selma
- The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Tv Shows:
- Insecure
- Lovecraft Country
- Dear White People
- Self Made
Artists:
- Beyonce- music artist
- Kendrick Lamar- music artist
- Kara Walker- artist
- Keymah Mcentrye- fashion designer