At Commonwealth, we imagine the histories, tales, and voices of Black People ought to be honored and uplifted throughout Black Historical past Month—and day-after-day. Pandemic or no pandemic, there are nonetheless loads of methods for us to have fun and study. Our workers has gathered quite a lot of sources, together with music, books, movies, and conversations, that can assist you have fun our nation’s wealthy cultural heritage and perceive our shared historical past.
Bear in mind: Educating ourselves within the title of humanity and justice for all isn’t meant to be restricted to at least one month. Neither is it a prescribed checklist of actions or to-dos; fairly, we hope these sources spark your curiosity and assist us all—domestically and globally—turn out to be extra aware
residents.
Learn
Deciding on literature by Black writers is particularly vital throughout Black Historical past Month. By celebrating and supporting Black authors and publishers, we will allow extra genuine storytelling that displays Black experiences, identities, and voices. Listed here are a number of you may try:
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The 1619 Undertaking: A New Origin Story. This ebook by Nikole Hanna-Jones weaves collectively 18 essays that discover the legacy of slavery in present-day America with 36 poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, battle, and resistance.
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The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Residence. In his ebook, Michael Tubbs shares what it was like rising up Black and broke in Stockton, California. He talks about being raised by his household of sturdy ladies, the life-altering encounters he had with Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama, and the challenges of being a pacesetter within the twenty first century.
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So You Wish to Discuss About Race. Ijeoma Oluo provides a dialogue of the racial panorama in America, addressing the problems that divide us and bridging the hole between individuals of shade and white People battling race complexities.
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Talking of Race: Why All people Must Discuss About Racism―and The best way to Do It. A PBS host, award-winning journalist, and self-described “light-skinned Black Jew,” Celeste Headlee has been pressured to talk about race since childhood. In her ebook, she teaches us easy methods to have productive conversations about race and provides insights, recommendation, and assist.
Hear
From podcasts to playlists and politicians to performers, we’ve compiled a variety of content material to tune in to for Black Historical past Month. So, as you grind by means of the center of winter, take heed to our suggestions to be impressed, enlightened, and moved.
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1619 Undertaking. Nikole Hannah-Jones says the contributions of Black persons are typically neglected of the American story. Her mission is to reframe U.S. historical past by means of the lens of slavery.
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The Life and Losses of Politian Michael Tubbs. Former Mayor of Stockton, California, from 2017 to 2021, Michael Tubbs tells listeners why “While you’re championing points that go towards 400 years of historical past, you may lose typically.”
Watch
How higher to honor the contributions and achievements of Black People than by studying extra about their tales? We share this checklist of talks and movies to shine a lightweight on new voices and historic trailblazers.
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23 Nice TED Talks to Have fun Black Historical past Month: A roundup of insightful talks that provide contemporary, considerate views on Black id. Most are 20 minutes or much less. View the checklist.
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Hidden Figures: Set in Nineteen Sixties Virginia, this inspiring film is predicated on the true tales of three pioneering African American ladies who had been NASA mathematicians. Their calculations helped America obtain a few of its best accomplishments in area. Watch the trailer.
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Selma: This 2014 historic drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr. recounts the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis main the march from Selma to Montgomery to safe equal voting rights. Watch the trailer.
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The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman: This 1974 tv film starring Cicely Tyson
depicts the lifetime of a 110-year-old Black girl (sure, 110!). She was a former slave who lived by means of the Civil Warfare and the Civil Rights Motion. Watch the trailer.
Store
With house places of work in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California, we wish to
make you conscious of a number of Black-owned companies in our communities. From eating places
to bookstores, we hope you’ll contemplate visiting and supporting these
companies.
Go to
Visiting a museum or library is a vibrant technique to immerse your self within the richness of different cultures, take within the tales of the previous, and go away together with your eyes opened a bit wider to the world. These occasions are filled with challenges, however exploring a digital assortment is simple. Plus, you get to set the hours—and snacks are inspired. In honor of Black Historical past Month, listed here are a number of digital visits to think about:
Native to our house places of work, Boston has the Museum of African American Historical past, and there’s the San Diego African American Museum of High-quality Arts. The Museum of African American
Historical past is internet hosting a number of on-line occasions celebrating Black Historical past Month which might be value testing. When the time is correct—and the doorways are open—maybe an in-person go to is in retailer.
Make a Lasting Impression
As mother and father know, younger minds may be impressionable. Story time is the proper alternative to show kids about Black trailblazers and pioneers in our historical past. This roundup of 24 books to learn to your kids in honor of Black Historical past Month makes it straightforward to get
began.Even when you don’t have little ones to learn to, take a spin by means of the checklist. Scrolling by means of the quilt artwork and charming summaries is sort of pretty much as good as looking an precise bookstore or library. Nearly.
Inform Us About Your Celebration
Whether or not you’re seeking to educate your self about Black tradition in America otherwise you wish to be a part of the dialog, we hope these sources assist encourage motion, connection, and consciousness. Should you learn any of those books, watch any of those movies, or go to any of those Black-owned companies, cease by our Fb web page to inform us all about it.
Third-party hyperlinks are supplied to you as a courtesy. We make no illustration as to the completeness or accuracy of knowledge supplied at these web sites.
Editor’s observe: This submit was initially printed in February 2021, however we’ve up to date it to carry you extra related and well timed info.
