Celebrating a Century of Embracing Black History Amid Backlash
As the nation marks the centennial of Black History Month, a wave of anxiety and resistance has washed over educators, historians, and activists. President Donald Trump's administration has been particularly aggressive in erasing Black history from national parks and promoting an anti-DEI agenda that aims to suppress the teaching of diverse histories.
Despite this backlash, civil rights organizations, artists, and academics are pushing back with a renewed commitment to educating young people about the complexities of American history. Campaign Zero, led by DeRay Mckesson, has launched a new curriculum that provides hundreds of teachers with resources and support to teach Black history in an intentional and thoughtful way.
One notable example is "First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth," a graphic novel written by Angélique Roché that tells the story of the 100-year-old civil rights icon who played a pivotal role in getting federal recognition for Juneteenth. The book not only honors Lee's legacy but also sheds light on lesser-known historical figures, such as William "Gooseneck Bill" McDonald and Opal Lee's mother, Mattie Broadous Flake.
Meanwhile, Harvard professor Jarvis Givens has written a new book, "I'll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month," which explores the evolution of Black history and clarifies misconceptions around it. His book is part of a larger effort to train a new generation of Black historians who can discern fact from fiction.
The timing of these efforts could not be more crucial, as resistance to teaching Black history has been a recurring theme throughout American history. According to Robert Trent Vinson, director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia, Woodson would likely see today's backlash as a sign that his work is "on the right track."
As the nation marks the centennial of Black History Month, a wave of anxiety and resistance has washed over educators, historians, and activists. President Donald Trump's administration has been particularly aggressive in erasing Black history from national parks and promoting an anti-DEI agenda that aims to suppress the teaching of diverse histories.
Despite this backlash, civil rights organizations, artists, and academics are pushing back with a renewed commitment to educating young people about the complexities of American history. Campaign Zero, led by DeRay Mckesson, has launched a new curriculum that provides hundreds of teachers with resources and support to teach Black history in an intentional and thoughtful way.
One notable example is "First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth," a graphic novel written by Angélique Roché that tells the story of the 100-year-old civil rights icon who played a pivotal role in getting federal recognition for Juneteenth. The book not only honors Lee's legacy but also sheds light on lesser-known historical figures, such as William "Gooseneck Bill" McDonald and Opal Lee's mother, Mattie Broadous Flake.
Meanwhile, Harvard professor Jarvis Givens has written a new book, "I'll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month," which explores the evolution of Black history and clarifies misconceptions around it. His book is part of a larger effort to train a new generation of Black historians who can discern fact from fiction.
The timing of these efforts could not be more crucial, as resistance to teaching Black history has been a recurring theme throughout American history. According to Robert Trent Vinson, director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia, Woodson would likely see today's backlash as a sign that his work is "on the right track."
, especially with Black History Month being celebrated on the 100th anniversary. It's crazy how some ppl are trying to erase history and suppress diversity, but it just makes us stronger as a community 
. I love that there are new resources being created to teach kids about this stuff, like that graphic novel Opal Lee is such an inspiration 
! We need more books like Jarvis Givens', shedding light on the facts & helping people understand the true history. Can't wait for the next gen of historians to come through and give us the lowdown 
... it's like they think they can just wipe out an entire century of progress in one swoop. And now they're trying to replace it with watered-down versions that barely skim the surface? No thanks. What's next, erasing the struggles of marginalized groups altogether? 
I'm so down for this renewed commitment to teaching Black history in schools! It's crazy how some people still try to erase our collective past. But, you know, I think it's amazing that there are folks like Campaign Zero and professors Jarvis Givens who are pushing back with resources and knowledge 
. And can we talk about how important it is for us to learn from our mistakes and have a more nuanced understanding of American history? It's not just about Black history, but also about all the other histories that are often left out of the conversation 
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did anyone else think the president was being super rude to eras the black history month stuff though 
. I mean, who needs Trump's anti-DEI agenda when we've got people like Opal Lee and Juneteenth to remind us of the struggles that shaped this country? The graphic novel is a game-changer, it's all about telling the stories we don't always hear in school 
. It's not just about Black History Month, it's about preserving our collective history and making sure everyone knows their place in it. I'm all for pushing back against the backlash and celebrating the centennial of Black History Month 
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. And, omg, have you read "First Freedom" yet? It's so good! The graphic novel thing is genius, and it's awesome that they're shedding light on lesser-known figures like Opal Lee's mom 
. And, yeah, it's totally ironic that some people are trying to suppress Black history now that it's getting more attention... like, what a joke 
. If we're pushing back against teaching Black history because some people are uncomfortable with it, what does that say about where we're at as a nation? 
We're 100 years into celebrating Black History Month and the fight for representation and inclusion is still going strong 
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. Maybe then we can start to understand why Black history is so important and how it intersects with our broader American narrative 
. Until then, I'll keep shouting from the rooftops - education is key! 
. Meanwhile, I'm loving the fact that we've got awesome resources like "First Freedom" coming out, shedding light on unsung heroes like Opal Lee 
. It's like, what are they afraid of? That we'll learn too much about our own mistakes and shortcomings? Newsflash: that's the only way we can grow as a society 
. I mean, who benefits from erasing history? Educators are trying to push back with new resources and curriculum that celebrates Black culture and achievements, but at the same time, I get why some people might be resistant to change. It's a delicate balance between teaching kids about their heritage and avoiding controversy.
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. we need more voices like opal lee and jarvis givens who can share their knowledge with the next gen 
. and btw, juneteenth is getting more recognition, that's a big deal 
. We can't just keep repeating the same old narratives without questioning what's real and what's not. This is all about educating our youth and preparing them for a world where they need to navigate complex histories and make their own informed decisions 
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Mark my words, this is all a ploy to distract us from the real issues. Meanwhile, those historians who actually care about Black history are working hard behind the scenes. Kudos to Jarvis Givens and his book... but let's not forget we've been here for centuries, folks!