I came up with the perfect analogy for Black History Month (BHM) the other day. Let’s say you’re taking care of a loved one in the hospital and someone sends you flowers and a card. You might think to yourself “this is nice and thoughtful,” and find yourself appreciative of the acknowledgment. However, what would be more helpful is someone showing up to the hospital to watch your loved one so you can go home, shower, and take a nap; what would move the needle is someone providing a casserole to make sure you’ve eaten that day. BHM for Black Americans is the card, along with MLK Day and Juneteenth; these celebrations are put in place as an acknowledgement of Black existence, but they’re not enough. What we need is a casserole, and that would come in the form of systemic change and legislation, put in place to help Black people achieve equity with our white counterparts.
I have lost faith that the casserole is coming, and I have grown weary of the flowers and cards. I don’t believe we truly live in a country, or a world, where people are invested in doing the right thing. The needle moves in the right direction when it makes sense economically, or it’s good PR in the case of businesses caring about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) post 2020 “racial reckoning.” But now that the protests have stopped, and people have moved on to caring about other things, I’ve watched as our society has quietly returned to its old ways. This BHM falls during a time when DEI program funding is being cut in corporate America, affirmative action for college admissions has been repealed, and Trump is on the verge of securing the Republican party nomination for the 2024 election. As a result, I’ve found myself particularly bitter this BHM; I’ve also been disappointed at the lazy messaging and programming I’ve seen from non-Black entities.
My brother and I were shopping at Black owned hair store the other day and were complimented by who I presume to be the store’s owner. He admired our hair, we’re both loc’d like true Jamaicans, and told us we were good representations of our race. We exchanged pounds and I wished him a happy Black History Month. I walked out of that store thinking that, assuming he’s lived in the South his whole life, this man has truly seen the spectrum of Black life in this country. He’s old enough to have lived through the end of Jim Crow - I wouldn’t be surprised if, during his lifetime, he’s seen a burning cross in a yard or heard rumors of a lynching.
Racism isn’t this thing that’s behind us, to be forgotten and rewritten for the history books to make our country seem like a nicer place. Black people were once treated as objects: to be owned, bought, and sold. If I were born in America before 1865, I would not own my body; I would not be allowed to learn to read the words I now freely type onto this page. We need to remember what’s happened to Black people in this country because those that don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Our society remains far from progressive. In 2024, Black people are still fighting to be seen and treated as human beings with lives just as valuable as anyone else’s. It’s why half assed Black history month campaigns just won’t do.
I still revel in the opportunity to celebrate this month though because I love us - Black people. Despite how much our existence is rejected, politicized, and threatened on a daily basis, we still show up. Everyday my life is made richer by Black people and our contributions to society. I am proud to be Black everyday of the year. Happy Black History Month.
Resources
Jackal: A novel - I read this thriller from Erin E. Adams last year, and have been raving about it ever since. If you’re a fan of the Black thriller, or have yet to explore our contributions to the genre, I’d highly recommend you give this a read.
16 Carriages - If you’ve been living under a rock, then let me expose you to one of Beyonce’s best songs - 16 Carriages. The woman is a supernova, and she’s taken her talents to the country music genre. Beyonce has also made history this month, becoming the first Black woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a country song.
Abbott Elementary - My favorite comedy is back on television with the return of Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary. The show is an Office style portrait of a predominately Black public school in Philadelphia; both the cast and the writing are stellar.