At Commonwealth, we consider the histories, tales, and voices of Black Individuals must be honored and uplifted throughout Black Historical past Month—and each day. Pandemic or no pandemic, there are nonetheless loads of methods for us to have fun and study. Our employees has gathered a wide range of assets, together with music, books, movies, and conversations, that will help you have fun our nation’s wealthy cultural heritage and perceive our shared historical past.
Keep in mind: Educating ourselves within the identify 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 assets spark your curiosity and assist us all—domestically and globally—turn into extra conscious
residents.
Learn
Choosing literature by Black writers is particularly essential throughout Black Historical past Month. By celebrating and supporting Black authors and publishers, we are able to allow extra genuine storytelling that displays Black experiences, identities, and voices. Listed here are just a few you may take a look at:
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The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story. This guide 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, wrestle, and resistance.
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The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Home. In his guide, 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 frontrunner within the twenty first century.
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So You Want to Talk About Race. Ijeoma Oluo affords a dialogue of the racial panorama in America, addressing the problems that divide us and bridging the hole between folks of shade and white Individuals combating race complexities.
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Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism―and How to Do It. A PBS host, award-winning journalist, and self-described “light-skinned Black Jew,” Celeste Headlee has been pressured to discuss race since childhood. In her guide, she teaches us easy methods to have productive conversations about race and affords insights, recommendation, and help.
Pay attention
From podcasts to playlists and politicians to performers, we’ve compiled a spread of content material to tune in to for Black Historical past Month. So, as you grind via the center of winter, hearken to our suggestions to be impressed, enlightened, and moved.
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1619 Project. Nikole Hannah-Jones says the contributions of Black individuals are usually disregarded of the American story. Her mission is to reframe U.S. historical past via 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 “Whenever you’re championing points that go in opposition to 400 years of historical past, you would possibly lose typically.”
Watch
How higher to honor the contributions and achievements of Black Individuals than by studying extra about their tales? We share this checklist of talks and movies to shine a light-weight on new voices and historic trailblazers.
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23 Nice TED Talks to Have a good time Black Historical past Month: A roundup of insightful talks that supply recent, considerate views on Black id. Most are 20 minutes or much less. View the list.
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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 have been NASA mathematicians. Their calculations helped America obtain a few of its biggest accomplishments in house. 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 via the Civil Struggle and the Civil Rights Motion. Watch the trailer.
Store
With dwelling places of work in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California, we want to
make you conscious of a number of Black-owned companies in our communities. From eating places
to bookstores, we hope you’ll think about visiting and supporting these
companies.
Go to
Visiting a museum or library is a vibrant method to immerse your self within the richness of different cultures, take within the tales of the previous, and depart along 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 just a few digital visits to think about:
Native to our dwelling places of work, Boston has the Museum of African American History, and there’s the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of African American
Historical past is internet hosting just a few on-line occasions celebrating Black Historical past Month which can be price trying out. When the time is true—and the doorways are open—maybe an in-person go to is in retailer.
Make a Lasting Impression
As dad and mom know, younger minds might be impressionable. Story time is the right alternative to show youngsters about Black trailblazers and pioneers in our historical past. This roundup of 24 books to read to your children in honor of Black History Month makes it simple to get
began.Even when you don’t have little ones to learn to, take a spin via the checklist. Scrolling via the duvet artwork and fascinating 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 trying to educate your self about Black tradition in America otherwise you wish to be a part of the dialog, we hope these assets assist encourage motion, connection, and consciousness. In case you learn any of those books, watch any of those movies, or go to any of those Black-owned companies, stop by our Facebook page to inform us all about it.
Third-party hyperlinks are offered to you as a courtesy. We make no illustration as to the completeness or accuracy of data offered at these web sites.
Editor’s observe: This publish was initially revealed in February 2021, however we’ve up to date it to carry you extra related and well timed data.
