How many Black History Month events have you experienced or even planned (don't be ashamed), where no matter what you expected, it still boiled down to a Civil Rights discussion that centered around Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks? This infuriates me, not only because there's more to my culture than these things, but because for many people, it's what we've come to expect and we don't make much fuss about it.
Well this year, I wanted to combat that complacency. Here are a few of the brainstorms I had while planning Black History Month activities this year. If you use any of them, stop by and let me know! I'd love to hear how it worked out.
Discuss the theme in Opposing Viewpoints:
Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Dubois
Langston Hughes vs. Zora Neale Hurston
Martin Vs. Malcolm
Biggie vs. Tupac
Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry
Why do these themes of opposition continue?
Use Step Show Footage to spark interest in Black Greek Letter Organizations
Use that spark to discuss college, civil rights, the women's suffrage movement and other battles these groups engaged in. Highlight famous African Americans who used membership in these groups to reach larger audiences or to form connections during college. For some examples, check out my Pinterest board on the historically black greek organizations.
Focus on the Harlem Renaissance
This theme is a great one because it can be used to address music, art, even socialites and wealth.
The Great Migration
Look at the different places where African Americans migrated and settled. Also investigate the reasons so many did leave the south.
Host a Pinterest Board Contest!
Have teens and tweens compete to make Black History Boards with different themes that reflect parts of black history. It's an easy and free contest to run. Check out these examples of Pinterest contests!
2 people wrote some stuff:
Good ideas, all! You can also include the Black Panther Party, information about jazz and blues, black inventors and inventions (not just George Washington Carver), and black politicians.
Exactly!!! When you start thinking about all there really is, it's amazing that we ever did get stuck on jut those couple of people.
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