Black History Month
As a child growing up in the State of Kansas, I became aware of the lack of diversity that existed within my community at an early age. I believed in equity, and I felt a sense of belonging amongst my peers. However, I learned the meaning of racism from interacting with parents of my non-black peers.
I learned the meaning of discrimination through participation in certain extracurricular activities. I gained an understanding of unconscious bias in the friendly remarks of others concerning my hair, my skin, and my lips. Outside of my church community, I was often “the only”… the only black girl in a class, the only black girl in all-city choir, the only black girl selected to participate in an all-state competition.
On more than one occasion, my presence was the sole representation of diversity within a group or entity. Instead of focusing on “not fitting in,” my parents instilled a strong Christian foundation and taught me how to celebrate my identity.
They were intentional about exposing me to the history and rich culture of African Americans. They also provided me with much affirmation and reassurance needed to confidently love myself, love others, and trust God. We celebrated Black History Month and attended community events throughout the year that celebrated monumental moments and figures, such as Juneteenth and Martin Luther King, Jr.
When I think about my earliest experiences around Black History Month, I think of the lyrics of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson. Growing up, I thought the purpose of the month of February was to revere Black History Month and sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”