Black History Month

I do not know what it is about 2023, but I am experiencing Black History Month a little differently. Usually, I would make sure that I participate in the obligatory events, post something on social media, and that would be that. This year, I am feeling drawn to write something. So here it goes!

The idea of Black History Month is wonderful. I appreciate ALL of the days and months celebrating customs, ethnicities, family members (i.e., grandparents day, etc.), foods, activities (i.e., National Surfing Day, etc.), and random objects (i.e., yo-yo day, etc.). Acknowledging Black History Month this year is interesting since that history is currently in question in our schools and public libraries.

Since January 2021 according to a list compiled by Education Week, 37 states have introduced measures to limit the teaching of race and discrimination in public school classrooms since January 2021, and 14 states have imposed laws or rules to enforce these restrictions.

People have debated the varying proposed and passed laws from state-to-state ad nauseam. When I first heard about this debate, I was in disbelief. I did not know it was possible to alter actual historical events in the institutions responsible for teaching them. Various laws have been proposed to prevent student discomfort while in the classroom, according to the June 2021 issue of Education Week, which is the part I found the most upsetting.

The way our society promotes an altered version of reality.

When I think about the issues most of us discuss in our inner circles, many revolve around the general inability of individuals around us to cope with everyday life. It makes us less wise, less humane, less focused, less empathetic, and less informed. We are becoming LESS ourselves than ever before.

Have we stopped to think about the role discomfort plays in developing the coping skills we need to effectively manage our lives? Shouldn't we celebrate challenges as they are necessary to create the skills needed to thrive?

I propose that this Black History Month, we focus on black history AND the future of us all. Every day we are helping to create the world we live in, so let's take responsibility for our creation. This month…,
Let us stop being afraid of what we do not know and learn new things.
Let us stop trying to be someone else and appreciate all you are.
Let us stop presenting what we think looks perfect and experience what is.

Black history month identifies beautiful and painful parts of the past, creating our present-day experience and influencing who we are. Pretending anything outside of the truth will promote an uncomfortable experience because it is inauthentic.

I have a lot more to say about these topics, but for today I will just say…,

Be Authentic. Embrace Discomfort. Celebrate Black History.