Black History Month 2022
Photo by Keenan Beasley on Unsplash.
Happy Black History Month 2022!
While Black histories, stories, experiences, and voices cannot all be delved into in a single month, Black History Month does remind and encourage us to take the time to be intentional and purposeful in our learning and reflecting.
So as we usher in a new February, let’s take the opportunity to intentionally engage with Black History Month.
Self-reflection and education are always a good starting point. And doing this requires us to confront and challenge our implicit biases. Some examples of questions we can ask ourselves are,
What’s my social media feed like? Is there a diverse range of perspectives?
We get so much of our news and updates from social media, so it’s a relatively easy and practical place to begin. We can curate our personal feeds to get a broader range of ideas and stories. Similarly,
Where and how do I get most of my information about Black history, people, stories, etc.?
Check out Penguin’s list of stories by Black authors.
Are the movies and TV shows I watch diverse or inclusive?
Entertainment and pop culture play a major part in the formation of our unconscious biases. And unfortunately, there is still a long way to go when it comes to Black representation. We can all benefit from taking a more analytical approach to the content we watch. And remember: it’s okay to criticize something and still enjoy it.
What and where are the gaps in my knowledge of Black history etc. that I can try to purposefully fill? From whom am I learning?
Most of us tend to have a loose grasp on Black history. Unfortunately, relying on the Black history we learn in school is not exactly enough. Educating ourselves requires finding and filling in the gaps in our knowledge bank. Then, go even further and ask why those gaps exist in the first place. (Hint: It’s because of the next point.) Check out this recent video interview on TVO about overlooked Canadian Black history and Valerie Jerome’s talk on her experience as a Black woman in Vancouver.
How has systemic anti-Blackness influenced and structured the place I live and/or work in?
Anti-Black racism is a systemic issue that is reinforced through our various social systems i.e. the workforce, education system, justice system, healthcare system, etc. For more information and resources on systemic racism, see this list by Concordia University.
What can I do to help amplify and highlight Black voices, stories, creations, work, etc.?
Watch/listen to reporters Jeyan Jeganathan and Ashley Okwuosa at TVO discuss making Black History Month a call to action. Also check out this discussion on racial identity, microaggressions, and more with authors Ben Philippe, Ian Williams, and Danny Ramadan at Vancouver Writers Fest.
We know that learning more history gives us a fuller understanding of our current social and political context. So while learning about the past is crucial, let’s keep in mind that BHM is also about recognizing and celebrating Black achievements—Black excellence—of both the past and present.
Black History Month is a time where educators should take seriously the history of violence and oppression that have been done to Black people, but also make clear that Black life is not singularly defined by that violence. The story of Black life is far more expansive than that.
—Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) February 1, 2022
We hope you join us in being intentional this Black History Month. Check out the resources below for some places to start, as well as our 2021 resource list.
Local organizations to keep on your radar
Check out and support these incredible local organizations.
BGC focuses on fostering long-term and inclusive community and mentorship for Black women in Vancouver.
Check out: “A Black Woman’s Pride Viewing List” — A list of films centered around Black LGBTQIA+ women and gender non-conforming people. See their blog for more.
An organization dedicated to empowering Black women professionals and promoting Black women’s participation in entrepreneurship. See their About page for more.
A collective dedicated to building community and meaningful connections for Black women in Vancouver.
Check out: “Being a Safe Person” – A beautiful piece about how we can build caring, compassionate, and safe spaces for and with each other. See their blog for more.
Founded by Judith Kasiama, CTT is dedicated to getting BIPOC out into nature.
Check out: “Colour the Trails” — An article by Judith Kasiama on Canadian Geographic. See CTT’s upcoming events.
Associated with Black Women Connect Vancouver, Empowered Black Girl is a mentorship conference started in 2021 for Black girls in B.C. See the list of mental healthcare providers on their Resources page.
Events & activities
UBC Reads Sustainability with Aja Barber
12PM-1:30pm | Feb 8 | Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (Virtual)
A talk by writer Aja Barber around consumerism and climate change. See the event page for more info and check out Aja Barber’s book, Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism.
Homegoing: Blackness and Belonging Across the Canada/US Border
6:30-8PM | Feb 17 | SFU Vancouver (Virtual & In-Person)
A lecture by Debra Thompson, Associate Professor of Political Science and Canada Research Chair in Racial Inequality in Democratic Societies at McGill University. Check out the event page for registration and more info.
Black History Month - Colour The Trails
2-4PM | Feb 18 | Capilano University
A walk out in nature led by Judith Kasiama, a fellow at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Founder of Colour the Trails. Check out this interview with Judith and BC Parks.
