It’s Black History Month!
A month to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and recognize their pivotal role in U.S. history. President Gerald Ford was the first U.S. president to officially recognize Black History Month in 1976, asking Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Ever since, each president has endorsed a certain theme for the month. 2021’s theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” to explore the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States. An especially good read for this year’s theme is the book, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. It details the decades-long migration of black American citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better more prosperous life.
Now many of the books below are on my to-read list, but they were chosen because they come highly acclaimed. The ones I have read, have been extremely poignant and eye-opening to my understanding of black culture. I’ve still got a lot of learning and unlearning left to do, but this month is a time to celebrate black history in America. The accomplishments and contributions or these women and men have furthered our country in ways we can’t even begin to grasp or fathom. Let’s celebrate their vivacity, courage, and bravery amidst tremendous obstacles and let’s daily try to unearth the roots of racism in our own hearts and families. I hope you enjoy this roundup of reads.
Just Mercy // I’m Still Here // Be the Bridge // His Truth is Marching On
Becoming // The Vanishing Half // Stamped from the Beginning // Hidden Figures
Sing, Unburied, Sing // Between the World and Me // The Underground Railroad // The Warmth of Other Suns
The Color of Compromise // Four Hundred Souls // The Hate U Give // How to Be an Antiracist
What books are you reading for Black History Month?
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