How to Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month. There are many ways to celebrate this month and every month, so slip on your favorite pair of AVRE shoes and read on for 4 ways to honor Black culture!
1. Read Books
- Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
- Through her writing, Roxane Gay, a Haitian-American, aims to show how feminism influences her life. Published in 2014, this book is a collection of essays (including both cultural and personal topics) split into five sections: “Me”, “Gender & Sexuality”, “Race & Entertainment”, “Politics”, “Gender & Race”, and “Back to Me”.
- Some other books to read are Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis and When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down by Joan Morgan.
2. Watch Movies
- Hidden Figures (2016)
- This 2016 film (starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson) is loosely based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book “Hidden Figures”. The movie and book are about African American female mathematicians that worked at NASA during the Space Race.
- Hairspray (2007)
- Set in 1960s Baltimore, the film addresses racism, sexism, and body positivity. Queen Latifah’s beautiful performance of, “I Know Where I’ve Been” as Motormouth Maybelle is the breathtaking soundtrack of the powerful marching scene in the film. Also, characters Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) and Penny (Amanda Bynes) share a sweet love that is sure to give you butterflies as they follow their hearts and ignore the racial discrimination of others.
3. Listen to Music
- Great songs by some Boss Babes to add to your playlist:
- "Respect" by Aretha Franklin
- "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé
- "Truth Hurts" by Lizzo
4. Start a Conversation
- Starting a conversation about Black History with friends and family can be a fun way to exchange knowledge and expand your mental horizons.