Happy Black History Month! I mean, every day is Black history for me and most Black folks but February is when everyone else recognizes it. The reckoning that occurred in 2020 has everyone, I hope, thinking about ways they can be anti-racist, be action-oriented allies, and support Black folks. I’ve created a way to support Black women if you’re looking for stores to support this year. Today, I wanted to talk about some ways that you can celebrate Black history that’s not only reserved for the month of February.
This post contains affiliate links (read my disclaimer). Thanks for helping me adult!
PHOTOS BY: DORESE JENAE PORTRAITS
LEARN YOU SOME BLACK HISTORY
One way to celebrate Black history is by learning the actual history. There’s so much richness that makes up Black culture and history. But it’s important that you know the facts and historical figures that are often not taught in school. Learn more influential Black people, past and current, that aren’t just Martin Luther King Jr. Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, and the like. There’s so much about my history that I learned on my own that no teacher taught me, which is super upsetting because that means there are millions of Americans that don’t know what actually happened in this country. So, learn about the individuals and movements that you’ve never read in a history book. Learn about the American Colonization Society (a nod to my Liberian roots), the Black Panthers (an organization that was always painted in a negative light), or Alice Allison Dunnigan.
SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
The Black wealth gap is as wide today as it was in 1968. Yep, despite all of the progress that has been made, Black people are still in the same situation, financially, that we were in 1968. While things have changed, nothing has changed. While white America was free to build businesses and wealth for the last 400 years, Black folks were dealing with slavery, Jim Crow, Redlining, and other forms of systematic and institutionalized discrimination that inhibited us from building wealth (see the Black Tax). One way to begin to close this gap is to support Black businesses. Spending money at Black-owned businesses supports Black neighborhoods in a direct way.
EXPAND YOUR CIRICLE
I’ve said this before, but you have to expand your circle – the people you hang out/interact with (socially distanced of course), the places you support, the books you read, etc. You are missing out and getting to know the awesomeness that is Black people if you don’t know/interact with any Black people. Having conversations with folks who don’t look don’t like you open your eyes to experiences or feelings that you’ve not heard before. Be careful not to expect black people to teach you, you have to do the work. And be cognizant that Black people are not a monolith and there are so many ways to be Black.
OUTFIT DETAILS
Since we’re still in the house, and with my recent move, I’ve been trying to only buy items I need for the house. Plus, we don’t even know when we’ll ever leave the hose so, I’ve been doing a lot of shopping in my closet. I will be doing a closet sale soon cause there’s a lot of clothes that don’t fit me anymore. Anyways, about this look. I’ve been focusing on doing more looks that show different color combinations. While pink and blue isn’t a unique color combination, it’s a fun one that I haven’t captured on camera before. First of all, I absolutely love the color blush. The way that the blush makes the blue pop makes me feel all kinds of things and the snake print adds another spin to the look. Even if you’re not heading into the office quite yet, the sweater makes for a comfy yet chic way to look pulled together on your next zoom or teams call.
HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY?
SHOP THE LOOK!
Pink Coat (similar here, here, or here) || Sweater (similar) || Old Navy Pants (similar here or here) || Marc Fisher Booties || Earrings (similar here) || The Lip Bar Drama Queen
