By Adam Meddah
February is a very important month for the Black community around the world. It is a time when everyone comes together to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the Black population throughout history, as well as the ongoing struggles they face today. Black History Month is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Black history, raise awareness of injustices faced by Black people, and celebrate the Black community’s numerous rich cultural traditions.
One of the main focuses of Black History Month is education. Educating the masses about Black history is paramount in moving forward and making the world a better place for everyone. Learning is made easily accessible through multiple different resources. From government archives (see the Government of Canada’s list here, or for the U.S., the African American History Archive) to teaching resources (the Alberta Teachers’ Association has a great resource here; or try Canada’s History resources; or for U.S. history, this Teachers Guide), learning is both simple and easy to do remotely.
Online learning is great, but in addition to these online resources, Black History Month is often accompanied by various events and programs that take place in person. From community centres to museums, there is an event for everybody! These educational events serve to both educate and entertain the public, giving information in an engaging way.
People can attend a variety of events in Burlington. On February 17, the Burlington Public Library will host youth-oriented drop-in events throughout the day. (See more events here: events list.) On February 18, they will also be showing the What We Deserve film premiere. It acts as an engaging way to educate the public regarding Black history, addressing the different roles of European powers in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and what still must be done for true restorative justice.
Black History Month is a great opportunity to learn about the rich history and culture of the Black community. There are a wide variety of engaging events and resources that it is essential to take advantage of to grow and learn more about history and this world we live in. Black History Month is a simply a good start, though: the celebration and education of Black history should not be limited to February. It should be taught in schools and institutions throughout the entire year.
