Hi there, Volunteers and Trainees!
Your PSDN Family would like to say, Happy Black History Month!
Black History Month began as a week long celebration of Black American history, contributions, and service. This initiative was introduced by Carter G Woodson in 1926 in an effort to encourage schools and community leaders to teach and share about the experiences of Black Americans and the importance of their contributions. It has since expanded to a month long celebration during February in the US and some other places around the world.
Now we use this month to celebrate those who fought and gave their all and those currently leading and fighting for the equality of black people in our nation and around the world. We often celebrate those highly praised heroes of the Civil Rights Movement such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Mya Angelou. Their contributions and impact were essential and will be honored and felt for the rest of our lives. However, we’d like to challenge you to take the time and learn about those leaders that traditional school curriculums deemed “too radical” at times and often overlooked. Leaders and trailblazers such as Malcom X, Huey Newton, Angela Davis, The Black Panther Party, and many more. Media and history often deems these leaders’ works and ideologies radical or wrong. However, without the contributions of all these activists, we would not have been able to make the advancements for black people that we have so far.
Take this time to celebrate and learn about the voices, actions, contributions, and stories of Black people.
We encourage you to take this time to consume literature written by black authors. Listen to a new podcast that discusses the experiences of black people. Stream/start a new series that typically caters to black audiences. Enjoy movies produced or directed my black film makers or stars black leads. Listen to new music/artist. Take the time to support/follow black artists and creatives on Instagram or Facebook. Take this time to be intentional. And while doing so, don’t be afraid to get a little uncomfortable. Challenge yourself. Engage in discussions and ask questions. Read about and discuss the lives and histories of those radical Black activists and possibly challenge what you already know. Take this time to develop what you think Black History means and what it means to those around you!
If you would like to see a specific person, book, or movie recognized for their achievements you can email us the name and we will feature them. We invite you to write your own tribute if you feel inclined to do so. All submissions can be sent as a reply to this email.
We've included some links to get you started! If there are any other resources that you'd like to share with us or other volunteers, please let us know!
Some Disney's The Proud Family Nostalgia :) (the black history month episode)
As always, we want to hear from you. Please contact us either through the PDSN email or one of our personal emails with any questions or suggestions.
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“Ignorance of each other is what has made unity impossible in the past. Therefore we need enlightenment. We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” –Malcom X