The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are. – Maya Angelou

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I wanted to take a moment to write about the black experience from my perspective in honor of Black History Month. Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14, 1818) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809).

As a child, I can remember participating in Black History programs at school that would include singing African centric songs in concert, writing and presenting reports about African Americans, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, and Madam C.J. Walker to name a few. Also, I remember having a Black History class as an elective in middle school that taught us about our African American culture and described our many contributions to society. In addition, I remember learning about many famous African Americans who fought and died so that other African Americans like myself could have the right to vote, to attend segregated schools, to shop and eat in segregated places, and to be treated fair throughout society.

I find it so ironic that Black History classes are no longer offered in most of our inner city schools, but the core curriculum includes American History. I’ve always felt that Black History is a part of American History because it happened in the past. However, I think Black History should be taught separately so that we can learn about many of the accomplishments and successes of those who came before us and look like us. We cannot continue to stay enslaved as a people because of the lack of knowledge, but we must be creative in teaching our young people about their African American culture and history.

The best way to fight an alien and oppressive culture is to embrace your own. – African Proverb

WAYS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

We all know that Black History Month is celebrated during the month of February. But, let’s be honest. We should be celebrating our African American heritage every day we wake up and have the ability to do so. How many African American families still celebrate Black History Month? How do you celebrate Black History Month and what are some of your family traditions? For example, you can watch movies and documentaries, go on family outings, and travel to create long-lasting memories.

Here’s some other ways to celebrate black history month and beyond:

• Visit local art and history museums to learn new information

• Enjoy the performing arts, such as watching a play or going to a concert

• Volunteer at homeless shelters and/or make monetary donations

• Become an activist and get involved with politics

• Sponsor a local school, non-profit organization or youth shelter

• Find a cause or non-profit to join then, volunteer and/or donate to make a difference

• Sponsor a child or family in need throughout the year and around the holidays

• Visit your local library to research facts and/or people past and present

• Support black authors by reading their books and writing reviews online

• Support black bloggers by subscribing to their blogs and writing comments

• Write a poem, story or journal entry to express how you feel

• Create a vision board as a family and then one of your own

• Create a bucket list and travel to historical sites around the United States (New York, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Washington D.C.)

BOOKS TO READ

Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. – Mason Cooley

Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously, Aretha Grant
Aretha Grant combines personal experience with biblical principles in Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously to teach you how to walk as the overcomer God designed you to be. Aretha takes her time to show how you are already an Overcomer. Now, it’s time for you to walk as one, in faith, courage, and victory.

Digging Deep Within, B.W. McKay
B.W. McKay wrote this novel from an African American male perspective. It’s a story of courage and liberation. You will be able to relate to the characters as they step out in faith while learning how to overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles related to relationships, careers, communication, unresolved pain from the past, grief, brokenness, and mental anguish.

Becoming, Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama has given us an intimate, powerful, and inspiring Memoir. Michelle offers us a glimpse of her life growing up in Chicago, college life at Princeton, the early years of her marriage as she struggles to balance her work and family. Then, of course the debate whether Barack Obama should run for presidency. Michelle’s story shows us her inner strength and her passion for life itself. Michelle issues a challenge to the rest of us: Who are we and who do we want to become?

LIFE CHANGING QUOTES

Your ancestors took the lash, the branding iron, humiliations and oppression because one day they believed you would come along to flesh out the dream. – Maya Angelou

There is no gain without struggle. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe. – Oprah Winfrey

You have to meet people where they are, and sometimes you have to leave them there. – Iyanla Vanzant

Don’t wait for the world to recognize your greatness. Live it and let the world catch up to you. – Muhammed Ali

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. – Michelle Obama

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. – Frederick Douglass

I have fallen, but I will get up. – Maya Angelou

I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. And that’s how I operate my life. – Oprah Winfrey

I am very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That’s my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it’s not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question. – Denzell Washington

I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves. – Harriet Tubman

History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take a life of its own. – Michelle Obama

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change. – Iyanla Vanzant

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Proud to be what I was meant to be. – Keen James

Now, here’s a time for reflection using journal prompts. Use this time to be honest and dig deep within yourself. Then, write freely about your life and your personal experiences; your dreams, challenges, and failures. Take time to think about your thoughts, to acknowledge how you feel, and to strive to be spiritually grounded throughout your journey. Keep in mind, this is an on-going process because life is always changing.

• How has racism impacted your life?

• How do you wish the world could be different?

• What is your biggest dream?

• What is your biggest fear?

• What are you struggling with at the moment?

• Where would you like to be right now?

• What are your core strengths and weaknesses?

• Who are you one year from now?

• What is holding you back from improving your lifestyle?

• What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

I’ll be the first to say that it is quite difficult to celebrate Black History Month year to year when we are still fighting against racism and hatred every day. Many of our African American brothers and sisters are still being murdered because of the color of their skin. Despite this reality, we must still stand strong as a people in our own skin and celebrate everything that our ancestors fought for…EMPOWERMENT, INSPIRATION, HONOR, RESPECT, KINDNESS, FAIRNESS, PRIDE & CULTURE!

Peace to my Ancestor’s and my Elder’s. I walk in your strength, legacy, and power, today and every day! – Unknown

SPEAK LIKE FREDERICK DOUGLASS
LEAD LIKE HARRIET TUBMAN
THINK LIKE MARCUS GARVEY
EDUCATE LIKE W.E.B. DUBOISE
BELIEVE LIKE THURGOOD MARSHALL
WRITE LIKE MAYA ANGELOU
FIGHT LIKE MALCOLM X
DREAM LIKE MARTIN LUTHER LING JR.
CHALLENGE LIKE ROSA PARKS
BUILD LIKE OPRAH WINFREY
CHANGE LIKE BARAK OBAMA

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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