BHM- A word...

Image credit: City of Southfield

It's February so you know what that means...we will be bombarded with posts about Black History Month (if you are in the US). All these posts are to bring our attention to the support of/solidarity with Black people throughout the month🙄. While I would never discourage posting about Black history or calling out the pervasive oppression of Black people, I want the bookish community to avoid being performative. I want to encourage people to do more than the bare minimum. Of course the floor will be different for everyone so your personal commitment to confronting the exclusion, silencing, and violence against the Black community will be yours to make. 

Have I offended you yet? If I have, I suggest interrogating that discomfort. Audre Lorde said it best-

So what can you do? 

Perhaps, support Black content creators (you should), post MLK quotes (I mean you can), support Black businesses (definitely, do this, but you don't have to post about it), change your persona to a Black fist (don't, just don't). Now, that that is out of the way, I really want you to consider your role in dismantling racism, being a true ally, and educating yourself on Black history. 

BHM was created in the late 70s to recognize Black excellence. Since it's inception the Black community has critiqued this narrow view. We want to celebrate the range of Black experience; that means we have to talk about all the elephants in the room (fill in the blank).  

In this vain, this week's blog posts is highlighting the efforts of content creators who have created readathons, readalongs, IG challenges, etc. in honor of BHM. I will caveat these readahtons/challenges with this thought- push yourself to read beyond what you normally would. Might I suggest, try a new Black author, a topic that makes you uncomfortable, or even if you read Black romance be intentional that both characters are Black. 

Are you picking up, what I'm putting down? 

Image credit: Houstonia Magazine

These readathons give you the prompts, but YOU should being do the work. So here you go, here are a few opportunities that may help you get started:

Follow MochaGirlsRead blog for Black Romance Giveaway HOP

Follow ReadSoulLit for their Black History Month photo challenge

Follow Blackathon for updates and prompts, but you can find a Google Doc with all the information here.

Follow the BIPOCbookstagram Black History Month Reading Challenge

Follow the #blackauthorreadathon on Twitter and IG for a romance specific readathon 

Follow Black Prose Club on Twitter/IG and YouTube all month long 

While this is not an exhaustive list, it gives readers options. Psst...doing nothing is an option, but certainly not a good look. 

I'm sure you are thinking what am I doing. Good callin! I think it's important that I am walking the walk if I'm going to be out here giving sermons. To clarify I make sure to always prioritize content created by authors of color and Black authors, nonetheless this month I plan to read the following books. 

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark (Fantasy)

Buddy Read 

The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (Black Feminist Literature/Poetry) 

Solo Read 

The Girl with The Hazel Eyes by Callie Browning (Caribbean Literature)

Bashment Book Club February pick 

Make a Scene by Mimi Grace (Black Romance) 

Accidently in Love Book Club February  pick

Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (Literary Fiction)

Paperback and Merlot Book Club February pick

Last thing, if you are buying books or bookish merch, consider supporting a Black-owned indie bookstore. Here are four of my favorites-

Black Pearl Books

Loyalty Bookstore

Mahogany Books

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery

                                            

In closing, Black History, much like Native/Indigenous History, Women's History, Asian-American History, Latinx/Hispanic Heritage, Disability Awareness months etc. should be an EVERYDAY celebration rather than designated to these months. However, if you use the time to be more deliberate then okay, keep opening yourself up for growth opportunities. I see you! 👀

Happy Reading!