Black History Month

Black History is American History. And still, we rally every February to highlight the abundance of important events and people that have worked to make our country truly great. It is no secret that descendants of enslaved people have overcome evil circumstances to achieve and make significant contributions to society. As we take it upon ourselves to learn about and remember this history, it is the contributions of Black Americans that we want to highlight and celebrate. For Black History Month, we have a pointed opportunity to focus on learning and embracing the greatness of Black Americans. 

See 
This list of great things you can do this month, according to the National Office. https://www.naacp.org/latest/28-ways-celebrate-black-history-month/

The African American Trail Project, published by a talented team out of Tufts University and pick a destination to learn about or even visit:  https://africanamericantrailproject.tufts.edu/about

Read
Roxane Gay’s essay https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/12-years-a-slave-black-oscar-bait-essay.html where she talks about how our culture gets too obsessed with seeing the slavery narrative or the struggle narrative as the only worthwhile perspective on the Black experience, as if that’s the only story to be told. Perhaps this month, when you pick a movie, consider watching ‘Love & Basketball’ and the original ‘Best Man’ and not just '12 Years a Slave'. 

Learn
About groundbreaking Black inventors: https://www.biography.com/people/groups/black-inventors

Do
Help strengthen this Branch by committing to spread the word; tell everyone you are a proud NAACP member and ask them to join. We’ve produced postcards, many thanks to Journeyman Press in Newburyport and their generous printing donation, to give you to disseminate personalized messages to  friends, family and neighbors, or anyone who might be interested in joining us. To order some of these postcards, email us. We’re going to push this campaign all month long.

The NAACP also offers guidance for what businesses can do during Black History Month.