Celebrate Black History, Don’t Revel in Our Trauma
Photo Credit: Victoria Pickering
If the extent of your celebration of Black History is revisiting slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, police brutality, and antiblackness, allow me to the one to tell you: you are doing it wrong.
Here’s the thing: Black History deserves to truly be celebrated. Our culture is so rich, so vibrant, so creative, so brilliant, so influential, and so much more than the trauma we and our ancestors have endured. This isn’t to say that we should not revisit that history, but as we celebrate Black Americans across the diaspora, it feels important that the focus is not on what has been done to us. Rather, the focus should be on what we have done despite what was done to us. Below, I’m going to share some authentic ways to celebrate Black History at the individual level, in community with others, and in the workplace.
Each year during Black History Month, many well-meaning people find some way to celebrate the history. The authenticity of these celebrations vary – from those who make ultimately useless gestures for the sake of saying something was done to those who work every day of this month to share about Black history and Black people who are making history.
In schools, there are usually assemblies or performances. In homes and communities, you might see decorations and murals. In workplaces…well, that truly depends on the inclusiveness of that organization. Some do and say absolutely nothing. Others ensure that leadership convey some sort of reflective message to their staff. Others host discussions or book clubs.
The problem for me and many other Black people is that sometimes those efforts feel like a month of reliving our own and our ancestors’ trauma, often for the sake of others’ growth and education.
This year, my challenge to you reading this, to the clients I am and will work for, to my friends and peers is this: Celebrate Black History. Revel in our joy, in the ways we have taught this country resilience and how to fight to justice, in the ways we have innovated and improved the lives of millions. Here are just some of the ways you could do that:
Ways to Celebrate Black History Month with YOU
Watch a documentary. I highly recommend I Am Not Your Negro.
Listen to music by Black artists
Read a memoire or biography of a Black person, whether they’re a leader, politician, or entertainer. Will Smith’s autobiography is truly an experience, especially on audiobook.
Engage with the 1619 Project! You can listen to it, read it, or watch the new series that is premiering this month.
Ways to Celebrate Black History Month with COMMUNITY
Attend Black History Month virtual events hosted by Black people.
Follow #BlackHistoryMonth and #BHM on your social media.
Visit a museum that focuses on Black History. If you go to The National Museum of African-American History and Culture, try your best to make it to the modern era. Don’t get too stuck in those lower levels!
Support Black-Owned Businesses!
Host a discussion (maybe even include a pot luck where people can bring their favorite cultural dishes; even better if context around that food can be discussed!)
Ways to Celebrate Black History Month at WORK
Consider a Lunch, Learn, & Discuss. You’d want to have this lunch be at least an hour and ideally have food from Black cultures (there are so many!). The learning can be about the food itself, it could be an article/book/video/media that folks engage with, it could be looking at data from your Black constituents to better understand their experience with you. And then engage in a dialogue to further that learning ending with some form of call to action.
Buy from Black vendors! Even if just for one month, even if a little bit more expensive.
In your trainings or learning & development spaces, elevate Black thought leadership and innovation, especially if you can tie it to the impact its had on how you do business.
Embed Black History Trivia into communications as a fun way to learn throughout the month.
Invest in an Employee Book Club, especially if that book might be relevant to your work. Feel free to drop your favorites in the comments!
These are just some ways you can truly celebrate with us this month. What are some other ways you all celebrate? I’m taking suggestions down in the comments!
If you found this useful and (hopefully) enjoyed reading, please share it! Oh, and if there are topics you’d like me to muse on in the future, let me know that as well.
