Beyond February: 3 Ways To Celebrate The Black Community Year-Round
As February comes to a close, so does Black History Month, a time when we celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions of Black people throughout history. However, in my opinion, the end of this month should not mark the end of our commitment to amplifying Black voices and fighting against racism and discrimination.
The concept of having just one month to celebrate black folks has always sat weirdly with me. Like pride month and women’s history month, it’s fantastic to have dedicated time on our calendars to shine a light on the issues of minorities! Unfortunately, though, many people tend to use these months as opportunities for performative activism rather than learning and incorporating their knowledge into their lives year-round.
As a mother, I want my children to know that we celebrate minorities all year round, not just during their respective months. Do you feel the same? If so, I thought I’d share three ways I support the black community 365 days of the year — beyond February.
1. Shop Black-Owned Businesses + Organizations
One of the easiest ways to support the black community year-round is by supporting black-owned brands and organizations. In addition to products, it’s important to also support organizations that are doing social justice work for the community, such as Rosa Rebellion.
2. Teaching your kids and family about social justice by making it a pillar in your home
Make black history and social justice a pillar of conversation in your home! Whenever something happens in the media that is related to black lives, have conversations about the its significance and don’t shy away from the hard topics.
3. Challenging learnings, seeking out black history content,
Consume content by black people. I implore your to do your own due dilligence when seeking out content, as the world erase black voices and white wash history these days. Look for black authors, speakers, and Influencers online to get the facts.
If you’re looking for black conent that you kids’ can digest, check out my previous blog on books that help celebrate the black community with your children.
As another Black History Month comes to an end, let it should serve as a reminder of the ongoing work that needs to be done to create a more just and equitable society for all. By continuing to highlight and support Black voices year-round, we can ensure that their stories, experiences, and perspectives are heard and valued.