Last year was the first time I really celebrated Black History Month on the blog. In my post "Welcome, February" I discussed a few reasons why I thought Black History Month was important and a few of my goals for February 2014. Below is a list of the posts from last year (and each title is a link to its respective post).
As you can see below, most of the topics I covered last year were rooted around specific people. This year, however, I want to talk more about concepts, ideas, and culture. One thing I've noticed during my years attending predominately white schools and having circles of friends that are more diverse, is that the major factor in racism and prejudice is ignorance. There is a lot about black culture that many non-blacks just don't know. Often this lack of awareness rears its head in the form of ignorant assumptions and awkward questions. So this month, I wanted to touch on topics that while they may be extremely familiar to blacks, may not be familiar to non-blacks.
I titled the series Legends of Africa, because while researching mythology I found a lot of interesting mythology from the continent of Africa that is largely swept under the rug. In our culture--American culture that is--it isn't shocking when people don't know information pertaining to non-white cultures. It should be. But it's not, because everything else is swept under the rug. So I'm lifting the rug (at least in part).
I hope you'll check back for more throughout the month. Feel free to comment and join in the celebration.
As you can see below, most of the topics I covered last year were rooted around specific people. This year, however, I want to talk more about concepts, ideas, and culture. One thing I've noticed during my years attending predominately white schools and having circles of friends that are more diverse, is that the major factor in racism and prejudice is ignorance. There is a lot about black culture that many non-blacks just don't know. Often this lack of awareness rears its head in the form of ignorant assumptions and awkward questions. So this month, I wanted to touch on topics that while they may be extremely familiar to blacks, may not be familiar to non-blacks.
I titled the series Legends of Africa, because while researching mythology I found a lot of interesting mythology from the continent of Africa that is largely swept under the rug. In our culture--American culture that is--it isn't shocking when people don't know information pertaining to non-white cultures. It should be. But it's not, because everything else is swept under the rug. So I'm lifting the rug (at least in part).
I hope you'll check back for more throughout the month. Feel free to comment and join in the celebration.
Art & Sports
- Limitations Won't Stop Me: Spotlight on Derrick Coleman (First deaf offensive lineman in the NFL)
- Dreams of a Sugar Plum Fairy: Spotlight on Misty Copeland (Ballet)
- Express Yourself: Spotlight on Thomas Blackshear (Artist)
- Ebb and Flow of the Tide: Spotlight on Nick Gabaldon (Surfer)
- Imagination Frees: Spotlight on Morrie Turner (Cartoonist)
- Prime Time is My Time: Spotlight on Hattie McDaniel (Actress)
- Sci-Fi Legend: Spotlight on Octavia E. Butler (Science fiction author)
Education & Science
- Knowledge: Spotlight on Dr. Ruth Simmons (First black president of an Ivy League institution)
- What About Everyone Else?: Spotlight on Dr. George Franklin Grant (Educator, dentist, golf tee inventor)
- Difference: Spotlight on the Current State of Race in Public Schools
- Lost History: Spotlight on Pedro Alonso (Navigator)
Image
- Sacred Part of Me: Spotlight on Natural Hair
- La Belle et La Betê: Spotlight on Saartije Baartman (Objectified woman)
Politics & Law
- Overlooked and Overpowering: Spotlight on Blanche Kelso Bruce (First (and only) U.S. Senator to be born a slave)
- Loving You With All My Heart: Spotlight on the Lovings (Interracial marriage)
- Justice for All: Spotlight on Charles Hamilton Houston (Civil rights lawyer)
Music
- Do What You Do: Spotlight on Charley Pride (Country music legend)
- A Voice As Smooth As Silk: Spotlight on Jazz
- Suppressed Voices: Spotlight on Hip Hop
Cultural Awareness
- Victim of a Hive Mind: Spotlight on Jordan Davis (Gun violence victim)
- Decoding My Own Thought: Spotlight on the 1870 Brick Wall
- Keeping It 100: Spotlight on the One Drop Rule
- Goodbye February: Spotlight on Us
Business & Entrenupneurship
- Cyborg Nation: Spotlight on John Thompson (Chairman of Microsoft)
- Confessions of a Shoe Fiend: Spotling on Jan Matzeliger (Inventor)
- When I'm Gone: Spotlight on NC Mutual Life Insurance Company (Black owned company)
- Impossible Dreams: Spotlight on Paul R. Williams (Architect)