Happy Black History Month

DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

Happy Black History Month! February’s Don’t Take the Bait is designed to celebrate and facilitate thoughtful conversations about this joyous time of year. Black history is not just about acknowledging the past but recognizing its significance in the present and future.

Happy Holiday!

What is “the bait” this month? 

For so long, Black History Month has mainly been acknowledgments of the first Black person to do something big, like Jackie Robinson. Or a prominent figure in the movement for racial justice, like Malcolm X. And yes, honoring those who broke barriers and fought for justice is crucial. But here's the thing: when we exclusively zoom in on these achievements, we make Black leaders into “martyrs,” and we miss the bigger picture of Black history. We unintentionally end up painting a one-dimensional image, emphasizing struggle and sacrifice at the expense of celebrating the diverse, multifaceted nature of Black experiences.

But Black history isn't just a story of suffering; it's a beautiful and long tapestry of culture, agency, and triumph. Black people aren't defined solely by their struggles.  Black people shape our world in countless ways beyond the battles for liberation they’ve fought and continue to fight. We won’t limit their narrative ever, especially during Black History Month.
A quick primer: Allyship vs Saviorism

In the last decade or so, the concepts of allyship and saviorism have gained significant attention. Understanding the nuances between these paradigms is critical in fostering authentic collaboration and dismantling harmful power imbalances.

At its core, allyship is a commitment to solidarity and support without assuming a paternalistic or superior role. It involves actively listening, learning, and advocating. Allyship acknowledges the agency of Black people and seeks to amplify their voices rather than overshadow them. Allyship is about humility. It's about recognizing that you don't know everything but that you're ready to learn and listen. It's not about being the savior with all the answers; it's about being a teammate in the quest. 

Saviorism is when someone not of the group (and often, with more privilege) positions themselves as the solution to the challenges faced by marginalized communities. Typically paternalistic, saviorism perpetuates stereotypes, undermines the agency of Black people (and other marginalized groups), and hinders the formation of genuine partnerships.

How to celebrate Black History all year long

Acknowledge the richness of Black history beyond the frame of struggle. 

• Challenge the stereotype that Black people are solely defined by their struggles and emphasize their agency.

• Encourage discussions highlighting achievements, success stories, and contributions that counter a narrow or suffering narrative.

• Clarify the distinction between allyship and saviorship, emphasizing that Black individuals do not need saving and that allyship should be rooted in respect, support, and understanding.

• Encourage humility and active listening rather than imposing solutions or assuming a paternalistic role.

• Emphasize the importance of elevating Black voices, stories, and perspectives during Black History Month and beyond.

• Seek out and share diverse narratives to foster a more inclusive and accurate understanding of Black experiences.

• Buy from Black-owned businesses.

• Before you ask a question, ask what you have done to find the answer yourself.

Enjoy Black Media!

Here is an AIW all-staff curated list of Black-created media we love. While there is a lot of great content we didn’t include, we intentionally chose to lift up stories and media that does not limit or narrow the Black experience to trauma and struggle. Think we missed one?  Tweet or comment on our IG to let us know your faves!

Movies/Show

1. Sister Act (a must watch to understand when we say we’re building a choir) 

2. Abbott Elementary - Hulu

3. Black is King - DisneyPlus

4. Dreamgirls 

5. Harlem - Prime

6. High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America - Netflix

7. Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur  (animated series) - Hulu

8. Raising Dion - Netflix

9. Soul - Disney Plus

10. Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse - Netflix

11. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse - Netflix

12. The Lovebirds - Netflix

13. The Other Black Girl (book by Zakiya Dalila Harris) - Hulu

14. The Perfect Find - Netflix (book by Tia Williams)

15. The Photograph - Amazon Prime

16. They Cloned Tyrone - Netflix

17. Young Love - Max (animated series)

18. Insecure - Max OR Netflix

19. How to Get Away With Murder - Netflix

20. Scandal -Netflix

Books -  Use StoryGraph to track your books; it’s Black-owned! 

1. Bad Fat Black Girl - Sesali Bowen 

2. Body and Soul Food - Abby Collette

3. Don’t Cry for Me - Daniel Black

4. Drunk on Love - Jasmine Guillory

5. The Culmination of Everything - Christina C Jones

6. The Thing About Home - Rhonda McKnight

7. Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder - Valerie Burns

8. You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty - Akwaeke Emezi

9. The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett

10. Devil in a Blue Dress - Walter Mosley

11. Here Comes the Sun - Nicole Dennis-Benn

12. My Sister the Serial Killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite

13. Lilith’s Brood - Octavia Butler

14. The Black Flamingo - Dean Atta

Music

We’ve made a celebratory playlist for you! AIW’s Black History Month Playlist.

Remember, Black History Month should prompt reflection on the narratives we want to emphasize to celebrate the full spectrum of Black experiences. By doing so, we can break down stereotypes and foster a more inclusive and accurate representation of Black history. 

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