Black Resistance

It's February y'all! You know what that means...Happy Black History Month! 

This year's theme is "Black Resistance". The ASALH states, "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores". 

As an African American, I am proud of my heritage and the profound resilience of my people. This month I hope that we all will take some time to remember and honor the ancestors who thought it not robbery to pave the way for us. Below is an excerpt from a poem that I wrote in 2015; it is a small reminder that we must continue to resist and endorse antiracism to create a more just society. 

A Black History Timeline (abridged)

A contagious awakening is happening,

We're beginning to open up our eyes

It's now clear that the war isn't yet won

And even more evident that it's only just begun

There's still rules to break and history to be made

It's our duty to carry on the legacy of those who've paved the way

We may be smaller in number but we're bigger in faith

More resilient and persistent thats why we're still here today

We changed this nation by challenging the majority

Yet and still we're merely considered a "minority"?

But minority we are not, more like revolutionaries 

What we've accomplished is by no means a mystery

Looking back, truthfully; I mean honestly -

Where would America be without Black history?

Now enjoy this friendly reminder

Below is the Black American Heritage flag designed in 1967 by, Melvin Charles and Gleason T. Jackson. It represents the pride, history and accomplishments of African Americans, as well as our struggle and pain. Red represents the innocent blood shed of our people, black represents our people, the sword signifies pride, and the fig wreath symbolizes peace, prosperity and everlasting life. Asé! 

By Saturnsorbit - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

-Andrea Nicole