At times, I worry that Black History Month may not be as beneficial as intended. Sure, it’s wonderful to have a platform to celebrate culture and to highlight ongoing racial issues in America. I’m pleased that it’s now a month (it started as just a week!). However, BHM celebrations often seem like a perfunctory task: ‘This is the annual period where I remember to back Black causes/businesses/artists.’ Wouldn’t it be amazing if, instead, these activities became a regular part of our lives all year long?
That’s my aspiration, so this Black History Month, I’d like to share some cherished things to appreciate all year…
An IG account that keeps me learning: @ashleytheebarroness crafts videos on obscure — often overlooked — historical topics, linking each to the present. I’ve gained more from her than all my high-school history classes. A recent post dissecting white supremacy (“White Narcissism,” she calls it) had me completely captivated and saying, “Amen!” Viewing Ashley feels like attending a lecture with an engaging, insightful professor.
A favorite poem: As a teenager, I won a competition for reciting For My People by Margaret Walker. I recall wishing I’d opted for a shorter piece because it’s extended. Yet, it’s also grand and beautiful, filled with pride and resistance. Everyone could benefit from more poetry — and from artists speaking truth to power, something Margaret did with elegance.
Home decor with a message: How motivating are these pennants from Rayo & Honey? They make perfect gifts. I’m also fond of their totes, keychains, and pens — plus the fact that it’s a heartfelt business run by a Black woman.
A must-have skincare product: I advocated for Beauty Stat’s Vitamin C Serum as a preferred product during my CoJ’s Beauty Uniform. Five years later, my enthusiasm remains for this illuminating serum, created by a trailblazing Black chemist.
A TV show I’ll always re-watch: Over five seasons, Insecure — featuring Issa Rae, Natasha Rothwell and other stellar actresses — made me chuckle, cringe, weep, and agonize over a fictional love triangle that I was more engrossed in than my own romance. Tell me if you’re Team Daniel or Team Lawrence. (Bonus suggestions: Survival of the Thickest, Harlem, Run The World, and of course, the timeless classic, Girlfriends.)
Wine by two sisters: Red wine beckons me on these chilly, dim winter nights. The red blend from Black Girl Magic Wines is one of the absolute bests, but really, any of their bottles are a safe choice; they’re excellent quality at a reasonable price. And if you’re in need of new stemware, have a look at the stunning sets by Estelle Colored Glass (the amethyst! So lovely!).
A novel I can’t wait to read: When Tayari Jones releases a book, it creates a buzz. Her fourth novel, Kin, is out next week, and anticipation has been mounting for MONTHS. It examines the lives of two friends from Louisiana who end up on vastly different paths. I’m eager to delve into it!
A gem of a bookstore: There’s been a gratifying growth in Black-owned bookstores recently. Kansas City’s Bliss Books is operated by two sisters who dreamed of opening a bookstore together (awwww!) and accomplished it! I also admire Loyalty Books in Silver Spring, Maryland, my hometown. If you’re in NYC, explore Liz’s Book Bar, The Little Bookshop and The Lit Bar.
A beautiful night out: Admittedly, I’m not the most refined person when it comes to fine arts — but I genuinely adore (love love) dance. I’ve repeatedly watched the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform, and it’s profoundly moving. Founded in 1958 to “elevate the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity,” the company maintains their mission almost 70 years later. Art funding is so unstable now — particularly BIPOC art — it demands our support!
A timely article that made me feverishly nod my head: I read plenty of long-form journalism — a great deal — and I’m still reflecting on this recent Atlantic article by Clint Smith, which touched on numerous reasons why Black history matters, and why it’s imperative in our current moment to persist against its erasure. Other Black journalists I admire for their insightful perspectives and keeping their fingers on the pulse: Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mitchell S. Jackson and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
A cause I’m glad to support: As a child of the ‘70s/’80s, those iconic TV ads for the United Negro College Fund remain unforgettable (particularly this one — the ending still moves me to tears!) Post-Civil Rights era, UNCF helped propel a generation of children into the middle-class by providing educational access. Even decades later, their admirable work carries on. I utilized one of my book events to gather funds for UNCF, and I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor BHM than supporting this esteemed organization.
What are your own recommendations? I hope you’ll share them with us, too.
Christine Pride is a writer, book editor and content consultant residing in Harlem, New York. Her latest book is All The Men I’ve Loved Again, and her previous Cup of Jo posts can be read here.
P.S. A reading challenge, and five more things I wish to convey to my white friends.
(Photo of Christine Pride by Christine Han for Cup of Jo.)
**12 Recommended Reads for Black History Month**
Black History Month is a time for celebrating and contemplating the contributions, challenges, and victories of Black individuals through history. Reading offers a compelling way to engage with these narratives and discover a deeper appreciation of the Black experience. Presented here are 12 suggested reads that provide diverse perspectives and insights:
1. **”The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois**
This foundational piece, published in 1903, is a cornerstone of African American literature. Du Bois examines the idea of “double consciousness” and presents an insightful analysis of race in America.
2. **”Beloved” by Toni Morrison**
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel exploring the haunting legacy of slavery. Morrison’s narrative weaves a profound story about memory, trauma, and redemption.
3. **”The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley**
This autobiography provides an in-depth view of Malcolm X’s life, from early years to his role as a major civil rights figure. It’s a striking story of evolution and activism.
4. **”Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates**
Structured as a letter to his teenage son, Coates provides a stirring exploration of race in America, addressing the realities of being Black in a society plagued with systemic racism.
5. **”Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston**
A classic novel following Janie Crawford’s journey towards independence and self-realization in early 20th-century Florida. Hurston’s vivid prose and lively characters render this a must-read.
6. **”The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson**
A historical account covering the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans exited the South for northern and western cities. Wilkerson’s meticulous research and storytelling animate this pivotal era.
7. **”The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander**
Alexander’s pivotal work delves into racial disparities within the American criminal justice system, positing mass incarceration as a contemporary form of racial control.
8. **”Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde**
A series of essays and speeches from the influential poet and activist Audre Lorde. Her writings tackle issues of race, gender, and sexuality with acuity and fervor.
9. **”The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin**
Baldwin’s compelling essays examine the complexity of racial tensions in America during the Civil Rights era. His eloquent prose and sharp insight remain significant today.
10. **”Kindred” by Octavia Butler**
A science fiction novel fusing historical and speculative elements. Butler narrates the tale of a Black woman time-traveled back to a pre-Civil War plantation, confronting the harsh realities of slavery.
11. **”Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” by Ibram X. Kendi**
Kendi charts the history of racist ideas in America, providing a comprehensive and provocative analysis of how these notions have shaped the nation.
12. **”Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi**
An expansive novel traversing several generations, commencing with two half-sisters in 18th-century Ghana. Gyasi’s story examines the lasting effects of slavery on individuals and families.
These works provide a rich tapestry of voices and experiences, affording readers a chance to deepen their comprehension of Black history and culture. Whether through fiction, memoir, or historical reflection, each piece contributes to a wider discussion surrounding race, identity, and justice.
