RC Blog

Black History Month, updated, in pix and vocals

posted by Rosette Royale on Monday, February 15 at 1:14pm

Well, it’s February, and you know what that means, don’t you? Some might claim it heralds the arrival of Punxsutawney Phil and his forecast (it was for six more weeks of winter, as the East Coast, victims of Snowpocalypse, will wearily verify). And that wouldn’t be wrong.

But it’s also Black History Month, that four-week period where elementary schools are rife with reports on people like Rosa Parks or (one of my personal favs) George Washington Carver. And even though there are some cracks to be made about how this country’s celebration of black history occurs in the calendar’s shortest month, some solid education and thoughtful reflection of how things of have changed — and haven’t — can still be found in these 28 days.

Take, for example, this photo essay from The New Yorker. In some 19 portraits, more than 30 people who played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights Movement — or who had relatives who did — are pictured. Charlayne Hunter-Gualt, the first black woman to attend the University of Georgia (and currently a journalist for PBS and NPR), the daughters of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, and Muhammad Ali are included. The list goes on. It’s an amazing photo spread. And better still, there’s audio with the pix. The whole spread is complemented nicely by an essay by editor David Remnick.

It’s a great testament to the strength and courage of those who stood up to fight when fighting could’ve meant you’d lose your life. And it’s enough to make you wish it was Black History Month every month. And Latino History Month. And Women’s History Month. And Queer History Month. And Native American History Month. And…

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