Black History Month, the 1619 Project, and the Importance of Showing Up
February is Black History Month – the annual observance and remembrance of important Black people and their contributions to the United States, and an invitation to learn more about Black American history. So why is celebrating Black History Month important? Why is educating ourselves on our shared history important?
This month, many of the Loeb Leadership team have been watching the Hulu adaptation of the New York Times “The 1619 Project,” which is based on an anthology of essays developed by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones. The series identifies significant disparities between the racially charged history of the United States and the curated version of that history that continues to be taught in schools and throughout modern society.
Our team watching the 1619 Project gained some traction among our groups of colleagues and friends, so we hosted a Zoom meeting to discuss the series with some of our DE&I experts and Loeb Leadership consultants. We were a group of people hailing from different backgrounds, life experiences, privilege, race, and more, and our reactions to some of the topics detailed in the series were also different. Here are some responses we heard:
“Why didn’t we learn this in school?”
“I never realized how intentional discrimination was.”
“How are people staying silent about these issues?”
“I took for granted what Black people have been fighting to have for years.”
“I wake up every morning and something reminds me, ‘I’m Black.’”
“I’m kind of new to this, but I want to show up and learn more.”
“I have been grinding my teeth about this for so long, I wear a mouthguard to sleep.”
Some people were shocked to learn about certain historical events for the first time, while others said they had been studying the subjects for years.
Though our group is at different places on the journey to learn more about Black history and racial justice, something we like to recognize is the importance of simply being on the journey. And let’s speak candidly about that: for many people, the journey can be painful and upsetting. Comprehending the intentional and systemic ways Black Americans have been mistreated, misrepresented, and altogether erased from our shared history can be a very disillusioning experience. It is difficult for many people to face that. Acknowledging the reality of America’s deleterious history threatens to destroy the system of beliefs many have built a life and identity around.
Therefore, it is indeed a courageous thing to choose to pursue the truth— and it is some of the most important work we can do. Showing up and being ready to listen and learn is the first step in making a change.
Maya Angelou rightfully said,
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
We, the Co-CEOs and President of Loeb Leadership, are White individuals. We have the privilege of working very closely with some amazing people of color on our team, from whom we have learned and continue to learn so much. While we are grateful for what they have willingly shared with us, it is not one person or group of people’s responsibility to educate others; it is something we as individuals are responsible for.
We want to amplify Black voices without putting the responsibility of change on their shoulders. Change is a collective act that starts wherever you are in your journey. The most important thing you can do today is simply take the first step. Learn about Black history, watch or read the 1619 Project, visit blackhistorymonth.gov for resources, search your local library for books written by Black authors, listen to podcasts and videos from Black educators.
Do whatever you can this month to show up. When we know better, we can do better. That is why educating ourselves about Black history is so important, and that is why we celebrate Black History Month.
Black history is our history.
Natalie Loeb & David Robert, Co-CEOs, and Gordon Loeb, President