Feb.1 marks the beginning of Black History Month—a time when we honor the triumphs and challenges faced by the American Black community throughout the nation’s history.
This year, however, 58 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, February 2022 has brought with it countrywide threats, prejudiced remarks and ignorance targeted at Black Americans—barely different from any other month.
Additionally, the NFL and three of its teams are currently the focus of a class-action lawsuit, filed by former head coach of the Miami Dolphins Brian Flores, who claims that the league discriminated against him and other Black coaches in their hiring practices.
On Dec. 12, a Black college student and Youtuber named Lauren Smith-Fields was found dead in her apartment after going on a date with an older white man she met on the dating app Bumble, but a criminal investigation was not launched until the days immediately prior to February — six weeks after her body was found.
Not to mention, the LUPD is currently investigating a potentially racist screenshot being circulated online by individuals in our very own predominantly white institution’s community.
Events such as these occur every single day. No day, no month, no year, so far throughout American history, has been exempt from hate.
According to the FBI’s annual hate crime statistics report, data shows that bias against Black individuals overwhelmingly accounted for the largest category of reported hate crime offenses in regards to race in 2021—56 percent of those crimes were motivated by anti-Black bias.
During this time, attacks targeting Black individuals rose to 2,871 from 1,972. Why are we moving backward and not forward?
Besides the infographics we see online, besides the Black squares posted on social media by large corporations and besides “#BLM”, what are we really doing to stop this hate?
Recently, Lehigh’s Black Student Union raised the Pan-African flag on the front lawn of campus, symbolizing Black liberation in the U.S. and the acknowledgement of commonalities between those of African descent.
This is a great way to recognize the start of Black History Month, but what else can be done, now and in the future? One answer lies in listening—we’re students, shouldn’t we be open to that?
Throughout Black History Month this year, there will be a multitude of events taking place around campus, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and additional cultural organizations such as The Black Student Union.
These events are an opportunity to listen to Black voices. We can learn from their stories while they’re willingly speaking about their experiences, but don’t expect them to be personal encyclopedias.
No change will transpire if we don’t actually act now and advocate for the Black community—and that doesn’t just mean taking two minutes to repost something on social media, drafting a “heartfelt” caption or sending a broadcast email condemning hateful incidents (ahem, Lehigh).
Let’s initiate uncomfortable conversations about prejudice with those in our lives. Let’s call out our institutions when they’re not doing enough and when they’re causing hurt. Let’s be proactive, not reactive, and stand up for what’s right.
Prejudice against the Black community will continue to happen over and over again, month after month, year after year, if we don’t collectively pressure individuals, institutions, businesses and so on to actually listen and act rather than simply voice their vague support.
With all of this in mind, recognize Black history year round—recognize their presence and impact every day, not just in February. Help advance Black liberation authentically and consistently every single month by focusing on what you can do by using your own skills, interests and social positioning.
Remember, we are always stronger together than we are apart.
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4 Comments
“At least 14 HBCUs reported bomb threats Tuesday.” I am disgusted by those who made this happen, whoever they may be; and given the times we live in there are multiple choices as to who is responsible.
“Besides the infographics we see online, besides the Black squares posted on social media by large corporations and besides “#BLM”, what are we really doing to stop this hate?” I don’t believe that “programs” or slogans will stop the hate.
“But, my father, like Dr. King, showed me the importance of loving your enemies. Above all, they preached the word of love.”: Rev. Jacquelyn Hawkins. “All lives matter” may result in being identified as racist but love toward all is a basis for Christianity as is God’s love for all. This is despite the fact that Christianity is increasingly being ignored by many and often practiced poorly who claim to profess it. I think Dr. King had the correct approach.
“Remember, we are always stronger together than we are apart.” This is certainly true. If you will study some literate writings by some on the far right, you may discover some of the reasons that “programs” will not be successful in bringing about “stop the hate”. Your intentions may be laudable, and their rationale flawed but hopefully you desire improvements rather than continuing hostilities. Sides must be brought together but most of the “programs” produce antagonism; what will create cooperation? Force will not work unless you are willing to take the risk and pay the cost.
Your generation will soon have the opportunity and responsibility to solve this intractable problem, choose wisely.
“…recognize Black history year round…not just in February.” I would say study American History year round and accentuate Black History in February, that is the meaning of Black History month. We live in America a so we should study an appropriate factual history of it in keeping with both its ideals and its flaws but lacking the promotion of political or social agendas.
This opinion piece is absurd leftist nonsense.
Lehigh has become a DEI indoctrination machine and a pathetic joke.
It should eliminate the entire Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity pack of zealots that push this nonsense.
They are shown on page 4 of Lehigh’s Organization chart.
file:///C:/Users/DonW7/AppData/Local/Temp/luorgchart.pdf
Enough Already (this could also be the alias of The Brown and White Editorial Board), although I have a warm feeling for the sentiment, I have doubts about it’s format.
This reminds me of a leftist site Pro-Lies.org. which takes word for word statements from pro life groups and generally makes statements that deny the truth of the statements as if it should be obvious that the statements are not true. Other statements are saying or implying “how dare they say that” implying that the statements are outrageous. It’s like saying Lafayette at a Lehigh only alumni gathering. No evidence is given to back up the statement but everyone is supposed to have the same reaction without proof.
I assume that the examples given by the editorial board are valid; Tawana Brawley, Jussie Smollett et al notwithstanding; time will tell.
The way you deal with the proposed solution seems to say there isn’t a problem or the solution is a trivial matter. That would seem to be absurd rightist nonsense.