Black History in the Making
February is Black History Month, and I’ve seen more opportunities for learning than I have in years past. I attribute the uptick in program offerings to the events of 2020.
It’s been nine months since awareness of the racial injustice Black Americans face every day was raised after the killing of George Floyd and the phone call to NYPD by Amy Cooper in Central Park, which culminated in the same week. Largely due to the pandemic and many people being homebound, White Americans and the world had no choice but to see, really see, what Black Americans have experienced for over 400 years. Like a light switch being turned on, White people were finally able to see the darkness Black Americans experience on a daily basis. New awareness was created.
What have you done with the new awareness you experienced last year? What are you doing to continue the conversation and to grow in your understanding? I encourage you to speak and listen from the heart. Listen to understand. Be curious. Don’t be defensive. The learning and the action is up to you. It is solely your responsibility to continue learning, unlearning, and relearning. Use your awareness to create awareness in others. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
For a fun way to learn, join us for a free poetry reading featuring poets and writers who collaborated on the anthology, ENOUGH: Say Their Names…Messages from Ground Zero to the WORLD, an historic book depicting events following the death of George Floyd through writing and poetry, the board-up artwork, and photography that speak to the need for justice and equality through Black Lives Matter. My amazing mother, Annis Cassells is one of the poets who contributed to this anthology! The event is February 24 at 6:30 pm eastern. Visit my Events page for details and a link to register.
