The last few years, I’ve started a tradition of watching a film during Black History month that educates, inspires and often challenges me about our country’s racial history. I have been moved beyond words by the fabulous films, Eyes on the Prize (about Martin Luther King) and Good Trouble (about Congressman John Lewis). Last weekend I watched Selma which was about the campaign to secure equal voting rights led by Martin Luther King. Each movie gave me an important shock. In Selma, it was the vision of those four young black girls being killed by a bomb as they were walking down the stairs of their church; and also the sanctioned police brutality of attacking marchers on the Pettus bridge on horseback while white onlookers cheered on. In my head was: THIS HAPPENED DURING MY LIFETIME! We so are NOT past racism and racial reckoning. And sadly, we are moving backwards.
I’m less of a reader, but will share that the book Waking Up White was a powerful, moving read. This may be small, but I was impacted by the story of how a black person felt like they couldn’t take the garbage out wearing a bathrobe to not create a negative impression, while we white people would think nothing of it. A small example of every day white privilege that I think of often.
Of course, there are many events each year to celebrate Black History Month. Since we are mid-month, the list in the links below will have some old ones. One more related to African roots is what I’ll be attending on March 23. If you like singing, drumming and dancing, check this out: https://www.pittsburghyouthchorus.org/thula-sizwe
What might you put on your movie, reading and event list to add meaning to your life and to support understanding our shared history? See some ideas in links below.
25 films with Oscar nominations and awards
Films with spiritual perspective
Books recommended by Black booksellers
Virtual Black History Month Events
Pittsburgh Black History Month Events
