Powderhorn Press Special Edition
February 9th, 2024
A Black History Month Reflection
In many ways, history is the fuel of the present. The timeline of people, events, inventions, ideas, places, policies, institutions, and much more all contribute to moments that become the past, which makes possible the present. This sequence of events seems to suggest that history is always in a constant state of being made and is essential to what happens next.
Expressed in another way, history has power. From those who know it to those who share it, to those who understand it. For centuries, Black history was embroiled in a cold war in the United States as a result of racism materializing in the form of racial prejudice and institutional power. This effectively helped to silence and often erase achievements, contributions, and the impact of folks from the African diaspora from history books, classrooms, and dining room tables.
Yet, the attempt at the erasure of Blackness could not stand up to the weight of personal accounts, photographs, documents, recordings, and the will of many to declare and demand a cease-fire on Black history through inordinate sacrifice. The revolt began well before the start of the civil rights movement with actions from people like Carter G. Woodson who co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which went on in 1926 to denote the second week in February as Negro History Week. This week-long celebration evolved into Black History Month in 1976.
PPNA recognizes the value in leveraging an entire month to celebrate the past and present work of those helping to make notable contributions to Black history. We also value this approach in celebrating other ethnic populations and groups who have or continue to experience efforts to suppress, silence, or erase their voices in society. Although a month of reflection on any cultural or marginalized group has significance, the association believes another essential form of celebration involves taking steps to undo racism.
The association’s understanding of racism and anti-racism work has been enriched through participating in an Undoing Racism/Community organizing training series overseen by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and in collaboration with several other southside neighborhood organizations including the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO).
In celebration of Black History Month, PPNA commits to furthering how we strive to organize community voices and behaviors to unravel the intersection of racial prejudice and institutional power for our shared liberation.
In Solidarity,
Tabitha Montgomery | Executive Director