Celebrating Black Creators

"The middle months of 2020 saw a surge in apparent institutional interest in Black freedom struggles, an intensified emphasis on information-sharing and study as anti-racist responses, and a frenzied circulation of anti-racist reading lists. David James Hudson explores the current dynamics of and historical backdrop to this institutional attention, reflecting in particular on what both the intensified interest and the make-up of the reading lists can tell us about the dynamics of anti-racism under racial capitalism."--publisher's description

"Despite its honorable intentions and notable significance, Black History Month does have its critics. As an American historian, specializing in African American history, I along with many others recognize its shortcomings. There are inherent weaknesses in acknowledging and celebrating a history of a great people during only one month out of the year, when it should be celebrated all year long. Why should we celebrate black history only one month and during the shortest month of the year? Secondly, black history has been compartmentalized instead of being incorporated into the wider narrative of American history."--segment from article.

"This country must face its legacy of anti-black racism before systems that maintain anti-black racism can be demolished. Until then, the objective of Black History Month will remain confined to a twenty-eight day observation rather than function on a more extensive level permeating history classes, media depictions, and this country’s collective conscious."--excerpt from article