Honoring Black Resistance: Celebrating Black History Month 2023
During the observance of Black History Month every February, we are reminded of the significance of reflecting upon the achievements, difficulties, and acts of resistance displayed by African Americans in the United States and beyond. This year, the theme of Black History Month is “Black Resistance”, in recognition of the persistent struggle against systemic oppression and the numerous forms it has taken throughout history.
African Americans have utilized various methods of resistance, such as sit-ins, boycotts, and walkouts in the 1950s and 1970s, to the use of armed resistance against racial terrorism and police brutality, in their continuous pursuit for a just and dignified existence in a democratic society. Throughout history, African Americans have planned and organized insurrections, migrated in search of freedom, and utilized education, literature, media, and politics to raise awareness and resist discrimination.
The establishment of Black faith institutions, cultural centers, libraries, and social, literary, and cultural clubs served as crucial spaces for organizing resistance efforts, promoting intellectual advancement, and preserving Black heritage. African American medical professionals established their own hospitals and clinics to provide quality healthcare, while businesses and labor unions were established for economic and financial autonomy. Education, including HBCUs, was viewed as a means of resisting the notion of intellectual inferiority and has produced activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators.
Music, ranging from spirituals and gospel to hip-hop and rap, has served as a means of expression, solidarity, and resistance against racial oppression. These forms of resistance have shaped American culture and continue to inspire activism and progress toward a more equitable society.
As we commemorate Black History Month this February, let us consider the ways in which African Americans have demonstrated resistance throughout history and continue to do so today. We can honor their legacy by educating ourselves, supporting Black-led organizations, and advocating for justice and equality in all facets of society.
As May unfolds, we enter a time of reflection and celebration as we honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month. This year, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center proudly present the joint 2024 theme: “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.”