This Monday marks the beginning of Black History Month (also referred to as African American History Month), a month dedicated to the celebration and recognition of Black lives and voices. This year’s Black History Month is preceded by a historic series of events, from the long-overdue nationwide calls for justice and equity to the election of the first Black (and female!) vice-president of the United States. Now more than ever, there needs to be a period of collective reckoning with and examination of the deeply-rooted systems of discrimination that continue to disproportionately target African Americans every day.  

In light of this, I’ve compiled a series of ways to honor Black History Month and educate yourself this February. 

Activities in Birmingham, Alabama

1. Apply to the Legacy Youth Leadership Program as hosted by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI). Applications close on the 19th of February, and upon acceptance, students will attend a series of 12 weekly participatory workshops that educate K-12 students about the Civil Rights movement while encouraging civic engagement within Birmingham. 

2. Check out the Birmingham Public Library’s 60+ events hosted across 19 branches throughout Birmingham. Learn more here. 

Books to Read, Films to Watch

1. Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah” (HBO Max and select theatres)

2. Regina King’s “One Night in Miami” (Amazon Prime and select theatres)

3. Julie Dash’s “Daughters of the Dust” (Amazon Prime)

4. Keenan I. Wayan’s “White Chicks” (Amazon Prime) (or, in general, check out the On Whiteness series by The Racial Imaginary Institute) 

5. Oscar Micheaux’s “Within Our Gates” (Amazon Prime, Library of Congress) 

6. “The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop” by Clover Hope

7. “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African American 1619-2019” by Ibram X. Kendi

8. “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi

9. “Assata” by Assata Shakur

10. “Breathe: A Letter to my Sons” by Imani Perry

11. “Heavy” by Kiese Laymon

Ultimately, while Black History Month is an important vehicle to celebrate Black achievement, it should not end with the beginning of March. The burden of education should be on the oppressors not the oppressed, and it is with careful consideration and ever-present reflection that progress is made. This month, I encourage readers to be intentional about their thoughts and actions and to remember that Springs is ultimately a predominantly white institution with a necessary need for an institutional reckoning with racism. This is a process already underway; how can you help? 

Best,

Carina