By: Xavier Wright
Q: What does black history month mean to you in the year 2020? How do you define it? What does it represent?
“Black history month is an annual reminder of the vast history of black people from all over the globe, from Benedict the Moor to Marcus Garvey to Kwame Nkrumah to Detroit Red to Angela Davis to Oprah to Bob Marley to John Singleton and millions of others. Black history month is often regarded as just a reminder of slavery and segregation but our history as black people and African descendants are rich with wealth, beauty, education, politics, war, strife and everything in between. Simply showcasing the Civil Rights movement, which is undoubtedly an important part of our history in the west is trivial. Black history month in 2020 is a reminder of great civilizations such as the Songhai Empire of the 15thand 16thcentury, men like Benjamin Banneker and queens such as Queen Amina of Zaria Nigeria, Empress Kandake of Ethiopia and Queen Nefertiti of Ancient Kemet. Black history is monumental, and a month couldn’t possibly do it any justice but it is a necessary reminder. Despite many controversial issues surrounding black history month such as it is the shortest month of the year, I take great pride in being apart of the student and teaching bodies of black history. Black history month represents me and my family’s roots and identity.”
Q: What’s the identity you want it to portray?
“I want black history month to portray unity. We as a people are currently facing many different political, social and financial issues worldwide. In many ways, we are divided due to a plethora of reasons. Black history month should serve as a means of remembering and a trigger to educate, not only for us but for all. I want black history to highlight cultures and teach those who may be ignorant about the different cultures and customs of Africans and blacks around the world. I want black history month to truly be a celebration.”
Q: What do you want people to see with Black excellence/history?
“Everyday we are creating more black history, but the creation of more does not mean forgetting those who’ve paved the way. I want people to realize black history and black excellence have been synonymous with one another from long before we had a term or a hashtag for it. ”
Q: Which lenses do you use to see black excellence?
Sports? Fashion? Dance? Poetry? Certain ways individuals look?
“Black excellence is not held to one standard or grading scale, for me, black excellence is any black person doing something positive. Whether that positive is internal, such as working your mental health, financial or external like helping out at or helping build a community centre. Everyday black excellence floods through our community. My personal favourite forms of black excellence is pride in our brown skin ( all skin tones ) and standing up for our community in times when there is no personal gain. Black people being black and enjoying the responsibility that comes with it is black excellence. ”
Some of my current famous figures of black excellence are :
Lebron James
Simone Biles
Common
Ermias “ Nipsey Hussle “ Asghedom
John Singleton
Rudy Francisco
Michelle Obama
Dr. Umar Johnson
Burna Boy
Some of my historic figures of black excellence :
Detroit Red also is known as Malcolm X
Marcus Garvey
James Baldwin
Maya Angelou
Angela Davis
Fred Hampton
Count Basie
Duke Ellington
Dick Gregory
Bob Marley
Daniel Hale Williams
Hattie McDaniel