In Celebration of Black History Month 2021
By: Melissa Chambers, Associate Director
February of each year provides a focal point in the US to center Black excellence, Black vibrancy, and to lift up the many contributions and accomplishments of African Americans who have not only paved the way for others with their great works but also continue to shape American culture and identity.
These accomplishments deserve accolades and appreciation every day and month of the year, however, given the pervasive institutionalized racism and white supremacy in the US, Black History Month is an important time to drive the narrative by amplifying Black voices and stories.
There are many rich opportunities available virtually to learn about the many great achievements of African Americans in science, the arts, political movements and activism, business and entrepreneurship, and so much more. A brief sampling includes:
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture is offering a series of virtual exhibitions in honor of the 2021 theme of Black History Month, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
- A fabulous list of books on Bookshop tied to the #movement started at Howard University called #StudyAbroadSoBlack, curated by LaNitra Berger, Editor of Social Justice and International Education and Senior Director of the Office of Fellowships, Undergraduate Education and faculty member in the African and African American Studies, History, and Art History Programs at George Mason University.
- Consider how Black joy is an act of resistance in this article from Vogue UK and enjoy the compilation of “videos of black people laughing.”
- The Poetry Foundation provides gems of poetry, essays, and podcasts featuring the work of great African American poets and authors. And of course, who could forget the thrilling moment when Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate, spoke at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after the historic election of our nation’s first African American, South Asian, and female vice president.
Ms. Gorman is notable not only for her bold words and bright spirit, but also for how her life was transformed through an experience abroad. While studying abroad at Harvard University, Ms. Gorman spent a semester abroad in Madrid. She joins a long list of African Americans whose time spent abroad guided their paths. This serves as a reminder that the work of international educators, fused with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core, remains critical to building the thought leaders of tomorrow, even--and perhaps especially--during the pandemic. NAFSA recently published the article An Antiracist Framework for Education Abroad in International Educator. We are called in this time and place to be change makers. This work is ongoing, not only during Black History Month, but always.