“A world where I felt safe, valued, and loved would be one where society was equitable and supportive for all people, including me.” Kilam Tel Aviv
Black History Month has become sacred to me over the years. As a child I felt torn between embarrassment and pride as we learned yearly about Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and George Washington Carver. I think my embarrassment stemmed from feeling bad that my history was reduced to slavery and one portion of the Civil Rights Movement. I felt that there was something missing that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”
― Toni Morrison
We are more than our pain stories.
I was missing the full picture on who Black people have been, who we are currently, and where we are going. I am not ashamed of my ancestors who risked so much to create the life that I get the privilege to enjoy. I am enamored with Black people, with how we show up in the world, and the ways that we have engaged with a society that has not loved us back. And so, Black History Month is a month where I take set apart time to dive into the words, art, music, and thoughts of Black folks. I read Black poetry, theological musings, fiction…all of it. I have found that when I give myself fully to my Blackness, I am revived. This month serves almost as a New Year for me as my soul is encourage, my spirit is lifted, and inspiration begins to flood my mind. As I immerse myself in Blackness I notice how, ever so subtly, I have begun to believe lies about myself, my skin, and who I am as a Black man. Black History Month reminds me that my story matters. I know that God did not make me this way on accident and wrapping myself in a cloak of Blackness isn’t antithetical to loving God. In fact, the very arena that I prove my love for God is found in fully accepting myself and the people that I come from.
Please check out this beautiful reflection from
that I think is absolutely beautiful to start out this month with:Welcome to Black History Month party people. Will you join me this month in immersing in Black perspectives, reflections, pain, and beauty? I won’t primarily engage this time by trying to educate others. I don’t find this to be a helpful use of my time or energies. I AM excited about some things that I will soon unveil with colleagues
and … So stay tuned for some goodness!If you would like to engage with other brilliant Black writers during this month, a wonderful man,
has put together a very beautiful list of writers that you can find here.
Diving into the words, art, music, and thoughts of Black folks is one of the most life-giving things I’ve ever done. I’m so glad there’s an endless trove of genius and beauty to choose from. Happy Black History Month, friend! 🖤
Thank you for this post and for the link to The Cookout Library. I loved the reminder that Black history is not just about a few moments in time, but is unfolding around us all the time in wonderful ways.